イギリス　水中（海事）文化・考古学プロモーション

Wessex Archaeologyのチームが地域の学校などの教育機関を通して海事文化の普及をプロモートするために新たに£50,000 ほどの予算をかけて行われます。これらの研究を一般、特に学生に親しんでもらおうとレクチャーシリーズなどを行うそうです。

イギリスのWiltshire、 Dorset、 Somerset、Gloucestershireを中心に行われます。近年のサーヴェイ機器の発達によりこの地方の海事文化がかなり解明されてきています。海、川、運河などは道路や鉄道などと結びついて国の歴史に大きく貢献してきました。また、船だけでなく石器時代などの水没遺跡の調査も進んでいます。

現在考古学調査で使われている精密機器のなかで特にハイテクなものが水底面を映し出すことが出来るサーヴェイ機器などです。これらの機器を駆使し得ることができた新しい情報を地域に紹介するそうです。

Wessex Archaeology is embarking on a voyage into the waters of marine heritage promotion in the South West.

The new project, supported by £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to educate both school children and the public about the new ways marine heritage is being explored, and some of the amazing new discoveries that have been made. It covers four counties – Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire – and will involve ‘time travel’ learning packs for use in the classroom and on the web.

“In the last few years there has been an upsurge in the amount of work done on marine archaeology,” explained project leader Euan McNeill. “This ranges from surveying the submerged landscapes that Britain’s first pre-historic settlers walked on; to World War Two aircraft crash sites.”

“Great historical events like the Armada are famous, but the sea has always been important in the South West and has helped shape its history. Linked inland by rivers, canals, roads and railways, the influence of the sea is never far away. This project allows everyone to time travel with us and we are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting this project.

A new Education and Outreach Officer will be appointed to organise themed exhibitions aimed at school age audiences and also lectures for local societies.

“I am excited by this project,” said Wessex Archaeologist Phil Harding (known for appearing on TV’s Time Team). “Most people think of marine history as being about galleons and doubloons. That part of seafaring history is important, but an amazing range of other work is being done: on wrecks, in harbours, and all along the coast.”

“Some of the most high-tech kit you will ever see on an archaeological project is the scientific survey gear marine archaeologists use. Now you don’t need to get your feet wet to see below the sea.”

The Wessex Archaeology website is at www.wessexarch.co.uk.

引用元：http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART52257.html