The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education is offering a one-day course on Marine Development-Led Archaeology on Thursday 23 October 2008. The course is presented in association with the Archaeological Training Forum and is supported by English Heritage.
The aim of this course is to provide participants with an overview of marine development-led archaeology and the range of solutions that can be applied to investigating possible impacts.
Staff from WA Coastal and Marine are contributing many of the course components, and discussion will be led by English Heritage and ALGAO.
Follow link to find details of the course, or download the course leaflet: marine-development-led-leaflet-new-jl-v
The Swash Channel wreck was discovered in 2004 during a geophysical survey by Wessex Archaeology in advance of dredging to deepen the approach to Poole Harbour. The wreck lies in approximately 6-9 metres of water with its long axis orientated north-east to south-west.
The site is part of the side of an unknown vessel, with frames, ceiling and outer planking, possible knees and a fragment of decking, together with other miscellaneous features. It appears that a substantial section of the top timbers, including circular ports and railings, survives in very good condition.
The site was designated as a protected historic wreck site in 2004. English Heritage now administers the wreck and Bournemouth University are actively investigating the site.
Wessex Archaeology’s Diving Investigations
Following the site’s discovery it was subject to an initial diving assessment on behalf of Poole Harbour Commissioners. 
Subsequently Wessex Archaeology was asked by English Heritage to investigate the wreck as part of our work under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) in 2005.
The divers produced a photographic survey of the exposed site, prepared a georeferenced plan of the main exposed archaeological features, and made detailed measurements of the features on the site. Wessex Archaeology was then commissioned to carry out sandbagging of the areas of the wreck deemed under threat and to remove various vulnerable finds from the existing channel slope, in advance of dredging. An ambiguous dendrochronological date was obtained, following the sampling of two pieces of wood from within the ship’s structure, which indicated that the timber had been felled in or after 1585 and that the tree grew in Germany or Holland. 
From the study of the structure it is thought that the vessel may be longer than 40 metres in length, the large size of the guns supports this view. Pottery from the site implies a date later than 1630 while the limited number of guns suggests it may have been a merchant ship.
The true name of the Tal-Y-Bont wreck is unknown, but it was probably a 700-ton Genoese merchant ship lost in 1709 while carrying a cargo that included carrara marble blocks and paper. The wreck takes its name from the Tal-Y-Bont beach area in Cardigan Bay where it was found in 1978 by a group of local divers, later known as the “Cae Nest Group”.
As well as a large mound of marble blocks, the site is made up of 26 iron guns, including 25 muzzle loading guns of various sizes and a probable breech loading iron swivel gun.
The site was designated as a protected historic wreck site in 1979. Cadw now administers the wreck and the site licensee, monitors the site.
Wessex Archaeology’s Diving Investigations
Wessex Archaeology was asked by Cadw to investigate the wreck as a “designated site assessment” as part of our work under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) in 2004.
Wessex Archaeology divers made a detailed photographic survey of the wreck site, prepared a georeferenced plan of the main exposed archaeological features of the site and made detailed measurements of the features on the site.
Wessex Archaeology obtained a large amount of photographic data of the wreck site and produced a georeferenced site plan that can now be used to monitor the condition of the site.
Based on existing knowledge of the wreck site, the exact circumstances of its loss cannot be established with any confidence based on the present remains. The vessel certainly ran aground in the bay, but it is not clear whether this was an accident caused by the crews’ unfamiliarity with this coastline or done deliberately to prevent an already damaged vessel sinking in deeper open water.
A copy of the full report of Wessex Archaeology’s investigations can be downloaded as a .pdf below.
Tal-Y-Bont, Designated Site Assessment, Full report