Important artefacts and shipwreck excavations were on display in Poole for the visit of a local MP.
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, visited the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST) site in Poole to meet with Bournemouth University archaeologists to learn more about their work, and the items they have recovered from some of the most important shipwrecks off the south coast.
Archaeologists have been working to excavate and preserve finds from shipwrecks such as the Swash Channel Wreck, HMS Invincible, and the 1250 Wreck, with some of the artefacts on display for the local MP.
Finds included the grave slabs and Purbeck stone mortars from the 1250 Wreck, which sank off the Dorset coast during the reign of Henry III in the thirteenth century, as well as several ornately carved portions of the Swash Channel Wreck, a 17th Century Dutch vessel.
Many of the artefacts will be displayed in Poole Museum for the public to explore, on its reopening in 2025.
Professor Dave Parham, a maritime archaeology expert, led the visit and said, “Britain has the richest underwater cultural heritage in the world, and it is underfunded in the UK, and it is at risk of natural erosion and decay, and what we are doing is rescuing this material to preserve and put on public display and use to educate people about our past”.
Professor Parham was joined by BU graduate and Diving and Maritime Archaeology Officer Tom Cousins, as well as final year student Heather Panter, in sharing information about the objects.
Jessica Toale MP, a keen diver, was joined by Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, and MAST CEO Jessica Berry, as well as a group of BU staff and students, talking about the importance of archaeology education and the need to ensure future divers are equipped with the knowledge to handle and preserve artefacts. The group also discussed funding for archaeological excavations as a way of ensuring cultural heritage is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Speaking after the visit, Jessica Toale MP said, “It has been incredible to come down to MAST today and see the work that the Bournemouth University team is doing to raise awareness of the heritage of the area and bring in the technical skills that we are world leaders in, bringing to life some of the things we’re finding, even here in Poole Harbour.”
Professor Alison Honour said, “I am so proud to see the work of our archaeology team in preserving these important historic objects, to see the role the university plays in uncovering our history, and working to ensure they are on display for our local community to enjoy. It was a pleasure to speak to our graduates and students who work on these live archaeology projects and to learn how it adds to their experience here with us at BU.
“My thanks to Jessica Toale for taking the time to join us and learn about the impact were having both locally, and around the world.”
For more information about this work, including how to contribute financially, please visit: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/collaborate/support-bu/1250-wreck-uncovering-englands-oldest-surviving-shipwreck