Current Research Projects
The MCA is involved with a wide range of funded research projects which involve diving. The diving projects involve field investigations and monitoring programs for wrecksites, many of which are designated, dating from the Bronze Age to the 20th century.
The MCA uses diving during some of its teaching activities as a way of accessing archaeology. The MCA is contracted to undertake survey and monitoring projects for two designated sites on the south coast which are designed to combine research in maritime archaeology with an educational agenda. Students who have demonstrated a dedicated interest in marine archaeology through their performance in and out of the classroom are given the opportunity to practice valuable archaeological skills on these sites.
Swash Channel Wreck |
The MCA works in collaboration with the South West Maritime Archaeology Group
(SWMAG) on a wide range of projects on the South Devon coast, which have provided staff and students from the MCA with opportunities to dive on some of the most exciting and archaeologically significant sites in the UK. These sites include the following:
Salcombe Protected Wrecksite |
Erme Estuary Sites |
Salcombe Estuary |
Any students that have the opportunity to take part in these projects must be medically fit and have reached at least CMAS 2 star diver (e.g. BSAC Sports Diver/PADI Rescue Diver). They must also have demonstrated competence in archaeological work and received training in the MCA’s Code of Practice Scientific Diving: Code of Conduct.
