Coastal, Marine and Inland Waters
From Sea to Substation and Turbine to Toaster
Archaeology is not just confined to dry land. Archaeological remains and structures can be found equally in rivers, lakes and the sea. Construction works associated with wind farms, sub-sea cables and pipelines can therefore equally impact on submerged cultural heritage.
Similar to archaeological sites on land, archaeological sites under water are generally protected by law, thus requiring that potential impacts are identified, and mitigation strategies developed.
AMS has the capability to identify and mitigate the risks associated with submerged cultural heritage. Our experts advise clients throughout all associated development phases from:
- the initial planning stages,
- environmental impact assessment, including full archaeological review of geophysical data to design,
- procurement and management of excavation, and
- post-excavation works.
We liaise closely with the design teams of our clients to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the project. Based on this we develop heritage solutions that meet the highest quality heritage management standards, whilst ensuring timely cost-effective results.
AMS’ Marine Archaeology experts, while based in Ireland, are available to work across European marine environments including the Irish Sea, North Sea and the Baltic region.
Pre-Consent Services
Managing development led impacts in Marine Archaeology requires special skills, methods and experience. Our specialists have a proven track record in providing all relevant services from pre-construction to post-mitigation works:
- Consultancy and strategic support
- Engagement with project stakeholders, including liaising with archaeological State Services, and
- Full service support for large scale projects worldwide
Specifically, we can aid with:
- Initial guidance and advice
- Feasibility, constraints assessment, and scoping
- Baseline technical assessment
- Marine and terrestrial geophysical and geoarchaeological assessment
- EIA
- Outline mitigation
Environmental Impact Assessments
Our consultants provide an integrated and full scale service for Environmental Impact Assessments for all aspects of underwater archaeology: from river crossings to foreshore areas to offshore windfarms and subsea cables.
We use a desk-based analysis of primary and secondary sources to identify potential impact on known archaeological sites, including shipwrecks. Where applicable, we further assess the submerged landscapes to identify potential zones of prehistoric settlement activity. This approach in combination with interpretation of geophysical data known archaeological sites and large-scale geophysical survey data sets provides the basis for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment:
- Desktop study of known archaeological sites and areas of archaeological potential
- Interpretation of geophysical data of known archaeological sites and large-scale survey data sets
- Marine geophysical and archaeological diving surveys on behalf of clients
- Recommendation of mitigation strategies to preserve submerged cultural heritage, including route selection support
- Recommendations for conservation of archaeological sites within development zones.
Fieldwork
The AMS Coastal, Marine and Inland Waters archaeologists are highly experienced field archaeologists, who have directed underwater archaeological sites from submerged settlements to shipwrecks. As certified commercial divers – and in combination with our wide network of specialists – we cover all potential aspects of development accompanying archaeological services:
- Monitoring of dredging works
- Archaeological diving services
- Archaeological excavation
- Site testing and evaluation
- Site investigation (Diver/ROV survey)
- Monitoring
