| Title: |
Aggregate Dredging Licence Area 480: Archaeological Assessment of Marine Geophysical Data, Pre-dredging Monitoring Report |
| Series: |
Wessex Archaeology unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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wessexar1-502154_104308.pdf (5 MB)
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Download
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| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
Wessex Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Hanson Marine Aggregate Ltd to undertake an archaeological assessment of marine geophysical data in view of a pre-dredging monitoring heritage review for aggregate dredging Licence Area 480. The marine geophysical survey area consisted of a 21.89 km² irregular polygon, orientated SW-NE and located 21 km off the east coast of Lincolnshire.
The marine geophysical data consisted of sidescan sonar and bathymetry data acquired in 2008, in addition to sub-bottom profiler data acquired in 2000 and 2002. This report reviews the sites highlighted during Wessex Archaeology’s 2003 desk-based assessment, suggests modifications, highlights new archaeological sites identified within the limits of the aggregate dredging Licence Area 480 and suggests mitigating measures. Only one anomaly reported during the 2003 desk-based assessment lies within the limits of the aggregate dredging Licence Area 480. This anomaly was not re-identified during the assessment of 2008 marine geophysical data reviewed during this assessment. This is likely to be a combination of improved data quality aiding interpretations and sediment possibly covering the anomaly when the 2008 data were acquired. The assessment of 2008 sidescan sonar data resulted in the identification of six new sites of possible archaeological interest.
The archaeological assessment of 2000 and 2002 sub-bottom profiler data indicates a sequence of early, mid and late Devensian formations (glacial till and outwash) deposited over Cretaceous Chalk. Artefacts dating to Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic Periods are unlikely but the existence of derived artefacts in secondary context cannot be precluded.
On the basis of the likely archaeological resource of the region and the sites identified in the
sidescan sonar data, the suggested mitigation is as follows:
• Due to the nature and character of the six sites identified during this assessment no exclusion zones are proposed. Further investigation might clarify their origin, archaeological significance or even discriminate them as objects of natural of modern origin.
• Hanson Aggregate Marine Ltd applies the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association Marine Aggregate Dredging Protocol for reporting finds of archaeological interest.
• Appropriate training in the operation of the protocol should be given to vessel and wharf staff through material supplied as part of the Awareness Programme.
• Provision for archaeological involvement in any further benthic and geotechnical investigations in order to assert the potential survival of archaeological material and define the limits of their extent.
• Provision for post-dredging surveys to continue the monitoring of the effect of dredging on known sites and the potential exposure of sites of archaeological interest. |
| Author: |
Cristina Serra
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| Publisher: |
Wessex Archaeology
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| Year of Publication: |
2008
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| Locations: |
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Grid Reference: 574326, 392468 (Easting, Northing)
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
wessexar1-502154 |
| Report id: |
69890.02 |
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| Note: |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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| Created Date: |
30 Mar 2022 |
