Subject Committee: Maritime

Coastal authorities face a number of specific and additional responsibilities to ensure protection of the archaeology of the coastal zone. These include assessing and monitoring of coastal processes and their effects in the archaeological and built heritage, countering natural forces of erosion which serve to expose and destroy large number s of archaeological sites contained within this dynamic environment, dealing with specialised coastal material, and providing effective archaeological services capable of seizing short windows of opportunity available to investigate and record sub-tidal deposits newly and regularly revealed in the coastal zone.

There are particular challenges in locating and recording archaeological remains below high water and many coastal features have in the past been under-represented on HERs. In recognition of this a number of coastal authorities are carrying out projects to improve their records.

Through the Maritime Committee, liaison with coastal agencies and sectoral interests is developing best practice for the protection of the coastal and seabed heritage.