NAS Introduction to Marine and Foreshore Archaeology

[lloydwatkin]

Not really a trip report, but couldn't figure out where else to post it...

Right,

Today I went along to a course ran by the Nautical Archaeology Society that was being held in Cardiff. Especially nice was the fact that CADW stumped up part of the cost for the course, making it extra attractive. I'm not particularly interested in archaeology, but I have a passing interest in most things, and figure it can't hurt to learn a little bit about something new (except diving, where'd all my money go?!!?).

The day began with an introduction to the NAS and archaeology in general. The course wasn't interested in giving lots of detail, just to cover the basics and provide an intro into the scene, even had some genuine artifacts passed around at one point. Basically, it's more than just shipwrecks and covers submerged habitats (where people lived in the past, think east coast in 20 years) as well as a few other things. Also the sites don't necessarily have to be under the water (hence foreshore, Duh ) and can be in tidal areas, etc.

After a quick break we were introduced to the various laws/procedures on what happens when you discover (or *ahem* "find") something in the water. Before lunch we also covered the methods of surveying a site by making use of datums (fixed, known points) and taking measurements away from these.

Dashing to tescos to grab some lunch (and get speaking to a few others on the course - 8 of us in total - 2 non-divers - 1 pro-archaeologist) we returned to a dry survey practical. Basically it involved us trying to draw up a plan of action and to think about how we'd do it underwater before moving on to do it in the pool. Even doing it on land really shows you about how you need to formulate a good plan with all your required measurements set out before you begin (obviously underwater you just can't shout "oi Jon, we forgot this one, yes that little thing there, put the tape there, no not that bit, left, oh come on?!?!"). Running inside (it started raining - typical) we returned to draw out our data on paper (and thus proving that two different methods of drawing the same thing doesn't always work - *maybe* it was our fault rather than the tape measure ).

We then had a talk on further courses that the NAS do. There's some interesting stuff there, including an intro to hard hat diving, use of PC's for archaeology, to arrow making, and wooden boat making techniques! So bit bit for most peeps. Following this we plopped into the pool to do the same survey, but underwater. Sounds easy, it's bloody not, even with all the planning performed on the side first.

All in all myself, and my two buddies had a great time. The Tutors/Instructors the two Ians, Stuart, and Vasvilli (? not sure how to spell his name, sorry) did a great job with plenty of enthusiasm and knowledge on the subject. Did it get my interest? Well, during the post-dive brief I was daydreaming about going out on a mates rib in west wales and trying to survey one of the small broken up wrecks, so it's definitely got me a little. Not sure if I'll do parts 1-3 any time in the near future, will definitely keep my eye out for some of the other training courses they do (intro to hard hat diving ), and look to come back to it somewhere down the line. Post course pint with coursemates reveals that they all found it interesting (guys from NAS had meetings to keep so left us to it - the beer that is) so I think at the end of the day it was very rewarding.

I'd like to say thanks to Ian Barefoot and the NAS for a great day, and hope that someone else finds this interesting/useful

Lloyd

[GLOC]

Sounds like you had fun. I have a vested interest in this, as next weekend I and 9 others will be doing a course in Plymouth diving the HMS Coronation site (one of the 2 protected wreck sites, not the Penlee cannon site) to do Intro and Part 1.

Trip report will follow in due course along with (hopefully) some nice photos and video.

[finooks]

Hi Lloyd

Yes, it was a great course - it was nice to meet you and the other guys that day. (Thank Jon for his advice for me....!!) ;o)

See you down the quarry no doubt!

Lisa

[Gareth J]

I did the NAS intro a year or so back, I had meant to do the Part 1 this year, but time & diving have rather messed that plan this year.

I have to say I greatly enjoyed my course. I would however recommend combining the intro' with the part 1 if you get the chance.

Nice write up.

Gareth

[Hellvet]

i did this followed by the part I last year, partly because i was involved in some archeological survey diving and it gave me some useful skills to take along with me to that.

It isn't too intensive, giving enough info to get you interested (or know that you're not!) without overdoing it, tho the part I does have a brief exam covering that and the intro course. It can be done "dry" as well for those of us who aren't allowed to dive, or for non-divers...we had 4 non-diving archeologists and 8 divers(2 of whom couldn't dive at the time) on our course, and they tailored it a bit for each of us...

[thirtymetres]

I've been a NAS member for a few years now. Not only are the courses interesting - I have met some great people, who have become good friends.

The Part III courses have allowed me to take part in activities that I would not have done otherwise. I have dived in a full commercial set up, full face mask, helped survey protected dive sites, the list goes on...

Enjoy... and of course there is always a course debrief in the nearest pub

[GLOC]

See Digger and my reports from the course this weekend. A good laugh was had by all. Oh and we learned something too