Dive & Dig

One of the most remarkable maritime sites off the coast of Egypt is revealing monumental sculptures of extraordinary scale—some towering up to 20 metres, including a single hand measuring 40 centimetres across. Professor Lucy Blue speaks with Dr Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, senior archaeologist at the Underwater Antiquities Department of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, about the secrets of western Abu Qir Bay, located 30 kilometres east of Alexandria and west of the drowned ancient city and ports of Thonis-Heracleion. Once a military base, the area first came to light in the 1930s when Prince Omar Toussoun and the director of the Graeco-Roman Museum enlisted the help of local divers. Today, as modern development threatens the site, Mohamed and his team of eight divers are racing against the clock to document newly uncovered remains. Learn how this shallow site, dating between the 7th  BC – 5th AD is challenging the team’s surveying and recovering skills.  Yet each colossal granite statue, block, and smaller remains they record adds to the story of this once-thriving port and temple complex. Their work sheds new light on Egypt’s maritime past and highlights how the country is safeguarding its unique sunken heritage.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is solving complex problems across a host of disciplines, here Professor Lucy Blue asks Dr Alexandra Karamitrou, Lecturer in Archaeology and AI, University of Southampton to outline its use in maritime archaeology. Alexandra explains how AI models can analyse multiple datasets, such as geophysical data and satellite imagery to identify potential shipwreck locations by recognising patterns associated with submerged features.  Applications are many, including processing imagery to identify Crannogs, WWI and WWII wrecks, and offshore structures like oil rigs  – crucial for the protection of the ocean environment as leakages of harmful substances can occur from ageing wrecks and rigs. Hear Alexandra’s views on how to ethically use AI and produce a more holistic picture of what our oceans comprise.  Can you believe there are three million shipwrecks to be identified and recorded?

At the 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS) held in Ioannina, Greece, Professor Lucy Blue spoke with Radomír Tichý from the University of Hradec Králové, Max Šámal (Charles University of Prague) and Aleš Panáček (Archaeopark Všestary) about a series of expeditions called “Monoxylon”. Hear how a team of Czech experimental archaeologists successfully reconstructed and navigated a replica of an 8,000-year-old Neolithic logboat discovered with five other boats at La Marmotta, a submerged lakeshore settlement beneath Lake Bracciano near Rome. Based on the largest, made from an oak trunk measuring over 10 metres in length, it featured transverse reinforcements for hull stability.  Additional objects discovered suggest the use of sails and the presence of obsidian tools from Milos, support the idea that these boats facilitated long distance trade and travel.  The series of expeditions tested the seaworthiness of these ancient designs. Monoxylon IV was paddled by twenty-one crewmembers over 500 kilometres across the Aegean from the island of Samos to the Peloponnese demonstrating that Neolithic communities possessed not only the craftsmanship to fashion such sophisticated vessels, but also the navigational skills to undertake such maritime journeys. The voyages provided practical insights into early human migration, trade routes, and the spread of agricultural practices across the Mediterranean with a profound human story at the heart.  For more information on this project visit the website (https://www.monoxylon.cz/en/), watch the teaser trailer for the upcoming documentary movie (https://youtu.be/6FkAuzf759U?feature=shared) and visit the project YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/…524)

In the last of a series on coastal archaeological sites and climate change, Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Dr Alex Kent, Coastal Connections Lead, a global partnership between English Heritage and World Monuments Fund.  Learn how Hurst Castle, a coastal fort built on England’s southern coast is falling into the sea due to undercutting of the shingle due to storm surges and, like hundred of other sites globally, is suffering from the impacts of climate change.  By bringing together communities around the world that face similar issues, hear how Coastal Connections network aims to share common challenges and a range of solutions, including nature based ones and innovative regional ones. Aided by a series of online workshops and discussions, it became clear that there are many similarities faced by sites around the world.  Alex maps out the goals of Coastal Connections, including site information sheets, creating a worldwide network of coastal site managers and practionners sharing and showcasing solutions, as well as training hubs to equip across generations practical skills to sustainably manage heritage sites. 

In the third of our four-part series on climate change and the threat to maritime cultural heritage, Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Dr Georgia Holly, Project Manager of the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), that sits under the umbrella of Ocean Decade Heritage Network (ODHN).  Remarkably, it is the only programme that integrates the marine cultural heritage into the Ocean Decade and is recognised by mainstream ocean sciences. Discover how the CHFP engages with maritime cultural projects from around the globe and once a project is endorsed, it gets access to a whole host of benefits including training and networking, and support and visibility of the Network. Hear how SeaVoice, their online magazine champions projects by people who work and live near water and encourages us not only to appreciate these precious resources but inspires constructive action in terms of promoting and protecting marine cultural heritage. Dr. Georgia Holly thanks the CHFP and SeaVoice teams for making these projects and activities possible 

Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Dr Athena Trakadas, Co-founder and Co-Chair of the Ocean Decade Heritage Network (ODHN) about the role of cultural heritage within the United Nation's Ocean Decade, as part of our mini-series on climate change and its impact on marine and coastal heritage. Hear how the Ocean Decade endeavours to bring marine cultural heritage experts together with the other ocean scientists.  Sitting within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-30), is an initiative of housed in the UN's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and aims was set up to meet the goals of sustainable development, particularly goal STG SDG 14 – life under water - as part of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Whilst the value of cultural heritage might be intuitive to heritage practitioners working with communities that live on the sea, it was more difficult to demonstrate to others in the oceanographic sciences the necessity of addressing heritage.  However, the inclusion of cultural heritage in the discussions expanded the number of societal outcomes of the Ocean Decade, and participation in conferences and policy forums has helped bring visibility to cultural heritage at the inter-governmental and national levels.  Nonetheless, changes in policy and governance are still needed to create a more integrated, holistic, and sustainable approach, and working to change minds remains the biggest challenge! The hope is that the UN Ocean Decade will change perspectives and bring about the ‘Ocean We Want’ inclusive of cultural heritage. 

 Professor Lucy Blue asks Dr Colin Breen, Associate Head of School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University to outline the issues of climate change and its impact on marine and coastal heritage, in the first of this new Dive and Dig Series that explores this pressing theme.  Although the climate has been changing over many millennia, we are now seeing the pace of change occurring at a much greater rate together with increased intensity of storms, all driving loss to heritage in the coastal zone. Colin explains the impact of this destruction through a range of climate, as well as anthropogenic threats, and illustrates with examples from the North and East African coasts, the devastating impact of these storm bombs on the coastal and marine heritage. Colin emphasises the importance of documenting coastal heritage and assessing the impact of threat and potential preservation, a methodology being developed by the Arcadia funded MarEA project that he co-directs (https://marea.soton.ac.uk/). Not everything can be saved, however, might a joint nature-culture approach be a better way forward? Colin suggests that it is and that we must move out of our silos and create an integrated heritage network to protect and manage these precious resources. 

Bettany Hughes and Lucy Blue are joined by Helen Farr to discuss the influence of the early navigators and Phillip Beale reflects on his project to create a replica Phoenician galley. Tanzanian marine archaeologist Claudia Lubao aka singer Chemical, alerts her followers to the value of maritime culture and Phillipe Cousteau warns of the potentially damaging impact of climate change on underwater heritage.   #titanic #maritimehistory #history #marinearchaelogy #diving #scuba #bettanyhughes #honorfrost #underwaterhistory  #philipbeale #helenfarr #crystalelsafadi #jonhenderson #elgidiusichumbaki #claudialubao #nadanofal

Bettany Hughes and Lucy Blue dive into the world of underwater archaeology and are joined by Timmy Gambin who is diving on a Phoenician shipwreck in 110m of water. In this episode we find out what happens when a ship sinks and what cutting-edge techniques help archaeologists analyse the remains and tell the story today.  We also discover how the Phoenician's developed trade in textile dyes and what  rowers might have been smoking to help get them through the hard times! #bettanyhughes #timmygambin #honorfrost #phoenicianhistory #ancienthistory #diving #maritimearchaeology #bobballard #titanic #nautical

Bettany Hughes and Lucy Blue dive into the world of underwater archaeology and are joined by Timmy Gambin, David Abulafia and Claude Doumet-Serhal.  In this episode, they discuss how Phoenician traders dramatically opened up the Mediterranean, explore the harbours that they traded through and discover how changing sea-levels over time can submerge ancient civilisations.  #maritimehistory #history #marinearchaelogy #diving #scuba #bettanyhughes #honorfrost #bobballard #philippecousteau #underwaterhistory #phoenicianhistory #shipwrecks #nautical

Bettany Hughes and Lucy Blue are joined by explorer Bob Ballard as they journey beneath the waves. They find out how sonar and remote vehicles have been used to discover shipwrecks such as the Titanic and the potential for many more sites yet to be discovered   #titanic #maritimehistory #history #marinearchaelogy #diving #scuba #bettanyhughes #honorfrost #bobballard #philippecousteau #underwaterhistory #nautical

Bettany Hughes and Lucy Blue dive into the world of underwater archaeology, joined by Jacques Cousteau's grandson Philippe. They discover how technology has changed since the invention of the aqualung and explore how divers are now reaching depths of over 100 metres. #titanic #maritimehistory #history #marinearchaelogy #diving #scuba #bettanyhughes #honorfrost #bobballard #philippecousteau #underwaterhistory #nautical

Professor Lucy Blue is in Egypt with a team of specialists co-directing a project with the Universities of Southampton and Ulster as part of the MarEA (Endangered Maritime Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa) project.  Together with experts from the Universities of Alexandria and Mersa Matruh, Egypt they are utilizing satellite imagery and other technologies to explore the western section of the north African coastline of Egypt.  This approach has revealed an extraordinary number of ancient sites, many dating back over 2,000 years. The findings shed new light on the rich maritime history of the region, including trade, settlement, and cultural interactions along the Mediterranean coast. This large-scale survey is crucial for documenting and preserving vulnerable archaeological sites, many of which are under threat from modern development and environmental changes.  Speaking with members of the team, including Dr Nicholas Ray, MarEA, Ulster University and Dr Ziad Morsy and Hagar Wafik from the Centre of Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage, University of Alexandria, and Dr. Basma Khalili, a ceramic expert from the University of Mersa Matruh, we learn that the project has uncovered remarkable archaeological finds from pottery production sites to rock-cut tombs. Some of the discovered sites span several kilometres, highlighting the scale of these ancient settlements and hinting at the vibrant trade networks of the time.  MarEA is a research project based in the University of Southampton and partners in University of Ulster, funded by Arcadia and the NW Egypt coastal survey is largely funded by the Honor Frost Foundation.

 Professor Lucy Blue is in Naples speaking with Pierre Poveda (Center Camille Jullian, CNRS), a maritime archaeologist who is co-leading, with his colleague Franca Cibecchini (DRASSM, french ministry of Culture), the excavation of a shipwreck lying in French waters between Cannes and the Île Sainte-Marguerite, home to Fort Royal. The wreck dating to around 180 BC is well preserved, with its entire port side buried beneath masses of dead roots of Posidonia seagrass. A few small wooden artefacts, including writing tablets have been recovered, as well as Italian amphorae that were transporting wine. Despite its hidden location the site has proven vulnerable to looting, and Pierre shares the dramatic story surrounding approximately 100 amphorae taken mostly from the wreck and also from other archaeological sites.  Further seasons of work are planned, with the goal of displaying the finds at the Museum of Fort Royal offering the public a closer look at these ancient maritime treasures and the ship’s role in Mediterranean trade.    The excavation of the Hellenistic wreck Fort-Royal 1 is being carried out under the joint direction of Franca Cibecchini (Drassm - Ministry of Culture) and Pierre Poveda (CCJ-CNRS-AMU), who offer the following thanks: We would particularly like to thank the direction of the French Ministry of Culture's Department of Underwater Archaeological Research (DRASSM), as well as the direction of the Camille Jullian Center (CNRS, Aix-Marseille University). We would also like to thank the City of Cannes, and our collaborators: the Institut Arkaia (Aix marseille Université), the Musée départemental Arles antique (MdAa), the MAC-Centre d'Arqueologia Subaquàtica de Catalunya (CASC), the Scoop Ipso Facto and, of course, all those involved in the excavation: archaeologists and members of the Alfred Merlin crew. 

 Travel with Professor Lucy Blue to the village of Imbotero, Guyana to meet Dr Robert (Bob) Holtzman an expert in traditional boatbuilding to learn about the Warrau dugout canoe. Twice daily tides in the tropical mangrove swamp mean canoes are essential for survival of the indigenous Warrau people.  Not only are they used for transportation, but also for foraging in the forest for land crabs, fishing and visiting neighbours. Over two field seasons Bob paddled around the villages in a canoe observing how the Warrau connect to their environment and fashion their canoes. Learn how these canoes - that can be up to 10 meters long, are hollowed out of a single tree trunk using chainsaws and adzes by skilled artisans.  And, why a consistent thickness achieved by eye, feel and even sound is crucial to the final stages when it is placed over a fire to expand the wood allowing it to be spread apart without cracking, capturing the boat making techniques of this art before they are lost in the tide of modernisation.  

Professor Lucy Blue delves into the wreck of The London, a 17th century warship, with diver and licensee Steve Ellis.  The ship exploded and sank in the Thames Estuary in 1665 and was rediscovered in 2005 when a ports authority survey was being conducted.  Since 2010, Steve has been directing the survey of the vessel and recovering artefacts with permission from Historic England.  A Second Rate vessel in the English Navy, The London was carrying 76 guns and a mix of over 300 crew and family readying to join a fleet preparing to fight in the Second Anglo-Dutch War, when tragedy struck. This significant archaeological site offers insights into 17th-century naval warfare, however despite it being a protected wreck of great historic value, there has been little funding or support from government sources. Over 1200 finds have been recovered and Steve will reveal his most recent discovery that is truly remarkable. A special thanks to Mark Beattie-Edwards and the Save the London campaign for their wonderful support in helping to continue to dive this site.  Find out more about the London Shipwreck Project here: https://www.facebook.com/TheLondonShipwreckproject To donate, please visit the project website: https://thelondonshipwreckproject.com/save-the-london/

Professor Lucy Blue speaks with associate Professor in Egyptology, Dr Claire Somaglino from the Sorbonne, about two decades of excavation at the site of Ayn Soukhna at the northern end of the Red Sea in the Gulf of Suez. During Pharaonic times, this important site was occupied over an extensive period, as not only was it close to the important centre of Memphis, but there was a spring, an oasis with trees and a sheltered anchorage, making it a perfect harbour.  Rock inscriptions led to its discovery and seasons of excavation have revealed it was a hive of activity with workshops, dwellings, redox furnaces for processing ore and galleries housing some of the oldest seagoing vessels in the world.  Discover how the boats were used to bring food to the mining areas of the South Sinai and returned with copper ore required for making tools and precious turquoise, which was fashioned into jewellery prized by the Pharaohs.       Ayn Soukhna is an Egyptian-French excavation (dir. C. Somaglino, M. El-Weshahi), supported by : IFAO, CNRS, Sorbonne University, Suez Canal University, and the Honor Frost Foundation. 

Recorded live on the island of Cyprus, Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Constantinos Nicolaou a leading expert in Cypriot traditional boat building. Costantinos recently headed up a training workshop hosted by the Honor Frost Foundation’s Cyprus Regional Development Project, that brought together experts from the eastern Mediterranean region working on traditional boat recording.  Costantinos directs a project that documents the remaining working boats in Cyprus and maps out different topologies and the influences that have shaped Cypriot vernacular boat building over time.  Hear how by looking at this development you learn about the history of the island, including the islands independence from British colonial rule and the Turkish invasion, and how these events changed boat shape construction. Is there a boat construction history on the island? What is the legacy of boat building in Cyprus?  Costantinos also reveals how his interviews with living boat builders, has further exposed their contribution to the history of vernacular boat building on the island.  

Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Professor Giulia Boetto from the French National Centre for Scientific Research about what is possibly the oldest fully hand-sewn boat to be discovered in the Mediterranean. First spotted by fisherman in Zambratija Bay off a beach in northern Croatia, closer examination by archaeologists revealed small holes in the planks. Could this be a boat sewn together rather than built by the more common mortise and tendon method?  Hear how French and Croatian researchers set about to date the boat, initially using carbon-14 dating, revealing it is likely to date from around the end of the Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. It has since been raised and is now in Croatia, but is heading to conservation labs in Grenoble, France where it will undergo treatments before it returns to Croatia to be displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula.    Prof. Boetto would like to thank the following people for work on the project:  Christian Petretich, Ida Koncani Uhač, Marko Uhač, the team of the Archaeological Museum of Istria, in particular the restorers Andrea Sardoz and Monika Petrović, Pierre Poveda, Vincent Dumas, Loïc Damelet, Philippe Soubias, Philippe Groscaux, Kato Nees, Alba Ferreira Domìnguez, and Henri Bernard-Maugiron. The main supporters: Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Region of Istria, Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula (special thanks to - Darko Komšo, director of the museum), Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France, National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France, Mediterranean Archaeology Institute - ARKAIA, Aix-Marseille University.

Professor Lucy Blue speaks with archaeologist Dr Harald Lübke from the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology about a recent discovery in the Baltic Sea off Germany that may be Europe’s oldest human-made underwater megastructure. Christened the ‘Blinkerwall’, it’s a continuous low wall made of hundreds of granite stones that stretches for around a kilometre. Could it have been constructed by hunter-gathers more than 10,000 years ago and if so, what was its purpose? Hear how by bringing together archaeologists, geophysicists and experts in landscape reconstruction the team is piecing together a now submerged landscape that was very different than the one today. The project team includes: Maine Geophysics:  Peter Feldens, IOW & Jens Schneider von Deimling, CAU Kiel Marine Geology: Jacob Geersen, IOW Archaeology: Jens Auer, LaKD MV,  Marcel Bradtmöller, Univ. Rostock, & Harald Lübke, LEIZA