Heritage management and submerged prehistory in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This chapter represents work carried out by Wessex Archaeology (Coastal and Marine) that relates to the identification, assessment and interpretation of new archaeological and paleoenvironmental material from offshore environments whilst working cooperatively with heritage managers and industry in the UK. It shares the authors’ experience of understanding and defining the significance or importance of natural and cultural deposits offshore through examples, beginning with projects funded through the Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund, as described by Bicket (Geophys J Int 178: 14–22, 2011). Secondly, the authors present an updated case study from Area 240, a Paleolithic site from the UK continental shelf, as described by Tizzard et al. (Submerged Prehistory, 2011). Finally, the authors discuss the topic of how to define archaeological significance of natural deposits found in situ in the marine environment. In this respect, we contribute to the international discussion concerning the challenges presented to heritage managers and researchers alike.