Ud pDredge

Protocol Update

frm the pasto

Spring 2008

Issue 3

Archaeology Finds Reporting Service Newsletter

interest to help our understanding of the past. This includes new material onconserving finds and how to store them.The Implementation Service continues tobe supported by the ALSF funded AwarenessProgramme to promote education andawareness. A regional workshop was heldin Salisbury in September and for thefirst time, the scheme has been extendedacross the North Sea to wharves in Hollandand Belgium.The EH/BMAPA Implementation Service hascontinued successfully for another year,and to date at least 17 new finds havebeen reported through the scheme whichwas extended until September 2008.Wessex Archaeology, who provide theImplementation Service, has been hardat work updating the remote learningpackage DVD and learning materials tohelp you identify objects of archaeological

Staff at Bedhampton Wharf examining some of the findsreported through the protocolDiana Forster: the new faceof the Awareness Programme

Team News

Margaret Christie left the ImplementationService in 2007 to embark on a newcareer. Brian Hession, who carried outvisits to Holland and Belgium for theproject, also left the implementationservice in 2008 to continue hisarchaeological career elsewhere.We wish them both the very best!Stephanie Arnott continues to supportthe Implementation Service and DianaForster has joined the team and has beenconducting wharf visits as part of theAwareness Programme. Euan McNeillcontinues to manage the scheme.

2006/2007 Finds Awards

Following the success of the EH/BMAPAImplementation Service, BMAPA and EnglishHeritage have granted three Finds Awards.The awards are for the most significantfind, the best attitude to the Protocol by awharf and the best attitude to the Protocolfrom a vessel. It was not an easy decisionfor Ian Oxley, the head of English Heritage’sMaritime Archaeology, who assessed theimportance of over 29 significant finds andthe performance of over 800 industry staff involved in the Protocol.An award for the most significant find wasgranted to the UMA staff at the Erith wharf for the discovery of the German aircraftwreckage, part of the same aircraft as thematerial found at UMA’s Ridham wharf.The finds at Erith were particularlysignificant because they included the MG15 saddle magazine and this contributedto identifying the aircraft as a GermanJunkers Ju 88 and also to dating thecrash to the Battle of Britain period –late summer 1940.The personnel at UMA’s Ridham wharf,including Site Champion Jo O’Brien, weregranted the wharf award due to theirexceptional attitude with regards to theaircraft wreckage which was discovered,particularly in regard to the associatedhuman remains. The award was alsogiven for their general enthusiasm, goodobservational skills and prompt reportingof finds.The crew of the

Sand Swan

have beenawarded the vessel prize for their goodattitude, particularly with regards to thewooden ship timbers they reported whiledredging on a long established NorwestSand & Ballast Co. licence in Liverpool Bay.Congratulations to all those who received anaward, and we hope they enjoy spending it.

Rowlock (UMA)Above: MG15 saddle magazine & July 1940 stampdated ammunition (UMA)Left: Boat timber (CEMEX)

The Protocol Ventures Across the North Sea

For the first time, the Protocol AwarenessProgramme has extended its programme of wharf visits and outreach to the continent.In October and November Brian Hession of Wessex Archaeology visited the Kallo Wharf at Antwerp, the Steenkorrel BV. Wharf at Flushing and Hanson’s operation atAmsterdam. He provided training on thescheme to colleagues at Belgian and Dutchwharves receiving aggregate from BMAPAcompany dredgers operating in aggregatelicence areas in UK waters.Wharf staff reported several new findsduring the visits including two anchors andeven a Second World War MG15 Germanmachine gun! The visit finished with a tourof Hanson’s wharf at Amsterdam so Briancould see the practical side of spottingfinds at a busy aggregate wharf.The week of visits to Dutch and Belgianwharf staff should ensure that finds fromaggregates from around the UK that arelanded on the Continent will continue to bereported. As for Brian, he enjoyed his weekabroad, but was more than a little anxiousabout getting his newly acquired machinegun through customs!

Above: MG15 Machine GunRight: A staff member of the Kallo Wharf in Antwerp examinessome finds reported through the ProtocolKallo Wharf, Antwerp, Belgium

Fork and spoon (UMA)