Geophysical Methods for Wreck‐Site Monitoring: the Rapid Archaeological Site Surveying and Evaluation (RASSE) programme |
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| Authors: | C. Richard Bates Mark Lawrence Martin Dean Philip Robertson |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Earth Sciences, Irvine Building, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL, Scotland;2. Advanced Underwater Surveys Ltd (ADUS), St Andrews New Technology Centre, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SR, Scotland;3. Historic Scotland, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH, Scotland |
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| Abstract: | Rapid advances in geophysical techniques over the past decade have provided the maritime archaeological community with significant opportunities for re‐defining the procedures for wreck‐site mapping, evaluation and monitoring. The techniques which offer most potential for high‐resolution survey are acoustic‐based and include sidescan sonar, swath‐bathymetry sonar and multibeam sonar. These techniques were tested on an artificial test‐site in Plymouth Sound and over the wreck of the Stirling Castle. Results demonstrate that the techniques can provide the maritime archaeologist with the opportunity to rapidly and cost‐effectively map and monitor small, centimetric changes on sites, with the potential for long‐term monitoring and management. © 2009 The Authors |
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| Keywords: | monitoring sonar management underwater cultural heritage |
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