IKUWA 3 and SHA 2009 Conferences, Red Bay Wrecks Published

MAG Updates is having some e-mail blips, so apologies for the delay with the email version of this update.

Registrations for IKUWA3 are now open !

Under the patronage of UNESCO, the Third International Congress on Underwater Archaeology (IKUWA3), will be held in London this coming July. Organised by the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA), and the Institute of Archaeology University College London (UCL), and supported by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives of NAS, IFA, UCL, DEGUWA, DAI, HWTMA, GSU, Verband der Landesarchaologen, English Heritage, and Historic Scotland, IKUWA3 will be the largest conference on underwater archaeology ever held in Britain. More than 120 papers will be delivered on topics as diverse as

• Submerged Prehistoric Archaeology
• Traditional Indian Boat Carpentry
• Acoustic Positioning Systems
• Fresh Water Archaeology
• Shipwreck Collecting Behaviour
• Maritime Landscapes
• Seismic Reconnaissance
• Managing Underwater Cultural Heritage
• Integrated teaching and research
• Ethics and Economics of recovering material from the sea

The Congress will take place from the 10th July to 12th July 2008 (official opening evening of the 9th July).

This will be preceded by a 3-day Professional Development Field School from 7th July to 9th July 2008, and followed by a range of optional excursions including a tour of the Mary Rose (13th July 2008).

For more information, please visit the recently updated IKUWA3 website, or go here to register.

SHA conference 2009

The Society for Historical Archaeology 2009 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology will take place January 6-11, 2009 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Canada. papers, symposiums and poster displays on underwater, nautical and maritime archaeology subjects are invited for the Underwater Archaeology Program.

The Call for Papers, Submission Guidelines, Forms and contact information can be found at the Society for Historical Archaeology website . Note that the abstract submission deadline is June 15, 2008. Please forward this information to others who might be interested in attending and feel free to add it to websites or newsletters.

Archaeological Report of the Red Bay Wrecks Published

The Canadian Government has just published a major scientific report entitled: The underwater archaeology of Red Bay: Basque shipbuilding and whaling in the 16th century. The report paints a detailed picture of Basque whale hunting techniques, and of the Basque contributions in European shipbuilding and the development of transatlantic trade routes in the mid-16th century.

The report provides details on the four galeones or naos investigated during the project, one of which is believed to be the San Juan that sunk in 1565. Using pioneering techniques, the San Juan was systemically excavated, raised and recorded in pieces on the surface, reburied and monitored ever since in order to ensure its continued preservation

Copies of the Red Bay underwater archaeology report may be obtained through Publishing and Depository Services, Public Works and Government Services Canada; (ISBN 978-0-660-19652-7; Cat. N0.: R62-389/2007E)

Other News

Routine Resurvey Analysis Reports are now available to access on the UK Hydrographic Office website.

The Museum of Underwater Archaeology reports that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on the Island of Saipan has brought in underwater archaeologists Jason Burns and Michael Krivor to inventory the submerged cultural resources related to the Battle of Saipan of June 15th 1944. As part of their public outreach program the project archaeologists are posting updates on how the project is proceeding.

You can read their first entry on the MUA here

If your interests lie more with lighthouses then why not look up the Pharos project (an EC project looking at lighthouses)

Draft Marine Bill Published, Landscape and Identity Conference, Changes to Historic Environment Commissions Grant Aid

Draft Marine Bill Published

The Draft Bill, which was published on the 3rd of April, sets out plans for a new network of marine conservation zones around Britain’s coast. Defra’s announcement of the publication also notes plans for

• a new UK-wide marine planning system, which will enable us to set a clear direction for how we are going to manage our seas and make the best use of marine resources;
• the simpler licensing of marine developments, for example, offshore wind farms; and improved management of marine and inland fisheries.
• a new Marine Management Organisation, a centre of marine excellence, to be created to regulate development and activity at sea and enforce environmental protection laws.

Unfortunately there’s no specific mention the historic environment in Defra’s summary announcement- hopefully not a reflection of it status the document itself… MAG Members please note, the consultation deadline for the Marine Bill is the 26th June.

Conference: People & Place: Landscape and Identity through Time

University of Chichester, 13th and 14th September 2008. Call for Posters This collaborative conference brings together researchers from a variety of disciplines (in particular Archaeology, History, Geography, English and Performing Arts) to highlight new approaches to understanding past and present landscapes, and to consider the multifarious ways that cultural landscapes, both physical and psychological, have been created and perceived through time. Further details of the conference programme can be found here.

The Organising Committee is inviting researchers, in particular postgraduate students, to submit proposals for posters based around one, or a combination of, the following themes:

Images, Value and Knowledge; Time, space and narrative; Settlement and movement; Authority and access.

Interested parties can download a Poster Presentation Form and the guidelines for poster production from the website. Abstracts must be submitted to the session organisers by 29th August 2008.

Poster sessions will take place only during the workshop on Saturday 13th September 2008. Please note, registration fees will apply to individuals presenting posters with the exception of students to whom discounted fees apply.

Important Changes to Historic Environment Commissions Grant Aid

Please note that from April 2008 it will be a Condition of Grant that all project applications are:

• MoRPHE compliant: See here for details.
• Aligned with a single primary SHAPE Sub-Programme: See here for details.

Other News

Amos “Casts off”

The John H Amos, Britain’s last surviving steam paddle tug has finally been moved from its slip by the Historic Dockyard in Chatham after 32 years. The Maritime Journal has covered the move.

Prospect Archaeologists Branch

Did you know the union Prospect has an archaeologists’ branch?

Prospect is working closely with our own Institute of Field Archaeologists, the Archaeology Training Forum, employers’ associations and the Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation to build the infrastructure of recognised qualifications and career structures that is needed if archaeologists’ pay and conditions are to be improved significantly. Their most recent initiative is a seven-point manifesto for archaeology, which seeks to raise the status of the profession and improve its terms and conditions.

Heritage Bill Launched Today! 42nd Marine Measurement Forum, Purton Hulks continued

Heritage Bill Launched

The Heritage Bill is launched today.  The Bill and the impact assessment are available from the DCMS website.

42nd  Marine Measurement Forum

The 42nd Marine Measurement Forum will be hosted by Sonardyne International Ltd on Tuesday 15 April 2008 at the DeVere Warbrook House and Grange in Eversley, Hook, Hampshire UK. More details are available here.

Purton Hulks

MAG has been following the story of the hulks and the Times has recently taken up the story.