Dredged Up

Archaeolog y Finds Rep or ting S er v ice Newsletter

Issue 27
Autumn 2020

Welcome to Issue 27 of
Dredged Up, the newsletter
of the Marine Aggregate
Industry Archaeological
Protocol. Since the last
newsletter in Spring 2020,
50 finds have been catalogued
in 22 reports.
DEME_0957 metal jug
(see page 3)

been reported, especially in light of changes

to operations due to Covid-19.
Since the Protocol has been in place from
2005, we are celebrating 15 years of working
alongside the Marine Aggregate Industry in
this issue! Pages 4, 6 and 7 explore some
interesting statistics on the finds that have
been reported since 2005, while page 5
celebrates all our previous winners!
Pages 2 and 3 showcase a selection of finds On page 8, we look at all the other work
that have been reported since the last issue of that has been undertaken this year at
Dredged Up. We appreciate every find that has two wharves.

If you would like a visit,

or you have not received
the promotional mugs and scale cards,
then please get in touch
with us by emailing
protocol@wessexarch.co.uk
or call 01722 326867
Finds reported since the Spring
From March 2020 to the present, we have had 48 archaeological finds reported through the Protocol.
Over the next two pages we will examine some examples of the materials reported.

This assemblage of finds includes two fragments of animal teeth

and a mineralised fragment of bone. Images of the finds were
sent to Professor Adrian Lister at the Natural History Museum for
further identification. He said that one of the teeth is a fragment
of a lower molar of a woolly mammoth. A separate elephant
tooth fragment and a mineralised bone fragment are also
CEMEX_0952 tooth present, but the species is unidentifiable from the photographs.
European mammoths are divided into three species: the Early
Pleistocene Mammuthus meridionalis (2.6 to 0.7 million years
ago), the early Middle Pleistocene Mammuthus trogontherii
(0.7 to 0.5 million years ago), and the woolly mammoth,
Mammuthus primigenius (350,000 to 10,000 years ago).
Important changes can be seen in the teeth of the mammoths
CEMEX_0952 tooth
as each species evolves; there is an increase in the number of
enamel bands (plates) in the molars and thinning of the enamel.
0 50 mm The dental changes resulted in increased resistance to abrasion,
CEMEX_0951 bone which is believed to indicate a shift from woodland browsing to
grazing in open grassy habitats of the Pleistocene. The remains
CEMEX_0951 & CEMEX_0952 is an assemblage of animal of animal bones and teeth may end up in marine contexts having
bones and teeth dredged from Licence Area 512 in the East been washed from terrestrial deposits by rivers or eroded from
Coast dredging region, approximately 14.5 km east-north-east of cliffs or beaches. Alternatively, they may date to a time when
Lowestoft. Martin Keeble discovered them at Angerstein Wharf. sea levels were lower and the seabed was dry land.

Hanson_0958 are two bones discovered in lane F8 within struck several times in the same direction and suggests a
Licence Area 240 in the East Coast dredging region, deliberate act using a stone tool. Two parallel cut marks are
approximately 10 km south-east of Great Yarmouth. Aaron also present on the plantar side of the distal shaft just above
Chidgey discovered them at Dagenham Wharf. Images were the articular surface, and these probably result from either
sent to Wessex Archaeology’s Senior Zooarchaeologist, Lorrain skinning or filleting. Images of the tibia were also sent to cut
Higbee who said that the smaller bone is a piece of skull from mark specialist Silvia Bello from the Natural History Museum.
something that either has horns (i.e. cattle or aurochs) or She said the photographs were very promising in determining
antlers (i.e. deer) but that not enough detail is available to be whether the bone is butchered but that it would only be
certain which. Lorrain identified the larger bone as a horse’s possible to confirm if the tibia was examined. Due to Covid-19,
left distal tibia, broken obliquely as a result of percussive the museum is currently closed, however it is hoped that once
impact to the medial side of the mid-shaft, this area being it has re-opened, a member of the implementation team will
marked by several percussion platforms along the broken be able to take the tibia there in order to have it examined
edge. The evidence is consistent with the bone having been under a high-powered microscope.

2
 noted that the details of the stamp aren’t clear, but it is in script
lettering and is probably a set of initials or a monogram, though
whether this relates to the manufacturer or the owner is not
clear, although it’s probably the latter. Lorraine suggested that
the shape of the handle, and the style of the script lettering on
the stamp, suggest that it is 18th or 19th century in date. The
age of the pots displaying similar spouts also support this.
Images were also shown to Steve Beach, Project Manager at
Wessex Archaeology, who said that the jug may be made of
pewter. He said that different batches of pewter will corrode
CEMEX_0945 base (left) and side view (right) differently depending on their composition, which may explain
why the handle and the spout are corroding differently to the
CEMEX_0945 is a munition that was discovered in Licence Area body. Steve also said that the mark is reminiscent of an ‘owners
340 in the South Coast dredging region, approximately 8.5 km mark’. Owners often applied their own marks to pewter. On
south-east of the Isle of Wight. Kevin Vine discovered it at plates, dishes and chargers these were usually just a simple
Leamouth Wharf and it was disposed of by the EOD. This shell triad of initials stamped on the rim, the centre initial being the
measures around 300 mm in length and has a diameter of surname and the other two the forenames of the husband and
approximately 90 mm. Images of the object were sent to Trevor wife. Marks with two or four initials are also found while some
Parker, from the Ordnance Society, who said that this shell looks owners had crests or shields engraved on their pewter, whilst
like a 6-pounder Hotchkiss head. Trevor also said that the brass institutional owners might stamp their name or symbol. On
base fuze, stamped with a large ‘P’ meant that it is a practice drinking vessels such as this one, owners tended to engrave
head; filled with either sand, or more likely salt. The 6-pounder either a monogram or the full name and address. These are
Hotchkiss guns were introduced in 1884 for use against torpedo particularly common on pub pots of the 19th and 20th century
boats. They were used during the First World War on early ‘C’ as a deterrence against theft.
class cruisers and a few submarines, as well as on Monitors
from the M15 class through to the M33 class. After 1939, many
of the guns were re-used as sub-calibre and saluting guns while
others were converted back to shooting guns for small ships
such as MTBs and ‘Flower’ class corvettes. Some of the guns
were also adapted for coastal defences. The Culver Battery,
located on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, had a 6-pound
Hotchkiss gun that was used as an anti-aircraft weapon
during the First World War. Given that the range of the guns
was 7955 m and the dredging area where the munition was
found, it is possible that this practice round originated from
a coastal defence.

Hanson_0953

Hanson_0953 is an assemblage of finds that were discovered in

Licence Area 401/2 in the East Coast dredging region,
approximately 23 km east of Lowestoft. Stuart King and Clint
Cambridge discovered them at Greenhithe Wharf. This
assemblage comprises a possible aircraft piece, a large metal
disk with a diameter of 160 mm, a gasket with a diameter of
120 mm, a smaller metal disk with a diameter of 90 mm and
0 50 mm two pieces of coal. Images of the possible aircraft related pieces
were sent to an aircraft specialist, Steve Vizard, who does not
View of DEME_0957 showing the owner’s mark (left) and think the first item is aircraft related, but perhaps belonged to a
another view revealing the bearded head (right) maritime vessel. Euan McNeil, a Coastal & Marine project
manager at Wessex Archaeology, recognised the larger round
DEME_0957 is a jug that was discovered in Licence Area 340 in disk as a pipe cover which is screwed on to the open end of a
the South Coast dredging region, approximately 8.5 km south- pipe and commonly used on vessels. It is unclear at this time
east of the Isle of Wight. Christophe Matton discovered it at what the smaller metal disk would have been used for. A gasket
DBM Wharf in Belgium. This metal jug measures approximately is a mechanical seal which fills the space between two or more
130 mm wide by 130 mm tall and has an ornate decoration on mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the
the pouring spout in the design of a bearded man, a stamp in its joined objects while under compression and are commonly used
centre and an oval cross section. It is complete apart from in aircraft and ship construction. Steamships in the 19th and
damage to the reverse. Images were sent to Wessex early 20th century used coal for fuel, but, as coal was a common
Archaeology’s Senior Archives Manager, Lorraine Mepham, who cargo throughout the Industrial Revolution and still transported
said she had never seen anything like it. She said it is definitely today, these artefacts could all be related. As most of this
post-medieval, and deliberately oval in cross-section rather than material is thought to have originated from a ship, they may be
just squashed. The spout and handle appear to have some sort from an unrecorded wreck in the area, or they could be items
of plating which has differentially corroded. Additionally, she that were lost or discarded overboard.

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15 Year Review
The Protocol has been in place since 2005 and as it’s the start of a new decade, we thought it would be
fun to review all the finds that have been reported since day one!

By looking through all the reported finds, we saw companies who have come and Number of
gone over the years. In the spirit of healthy competition, we have listed how many Company
finds reported
finds each company has reported since 2005 up to the end of the last reporting
year which is October 2019. Cemex 482
UMA 429
Over the last 15 years, we’ve had 1879 finds reported, which is very impressive! Tarmac 413
Without the dredging industry, these finds would not have been discovered so we Hanson 278
would like to send a big thank you to every single one of you who contribute to LTM 102
the Protocol. Although CEMEX appear to be the leaders in the amount of finds UMD 78
reported, Tarmac is still in the lead due to having many names over the years Britannia 28
including LTM. Pre-protocol 16
Brett 16
We’ve had some very special finds over the years, some of which are featured Lafartarm 12
on this page representing all eras of history. Let’s make 2020–2021 the best Kendalls 11
reporting year yet and see whether we can have a new contender for most Deme 5
finds reported! Clubbs 5
Other 3
If your wharf would like a little refresher on how to report the finds, Lafarge 1
please get in touch with us by emailing protocol@wessexarch.co.uk
Total 1879
or call 01722 326867.

LTM_0581
antique dive regulator

Hanson_0171 sherd of
Roman samian ware

Tarmac_0320
UMD_0062 rudder
ship’s log
pedal from aircraft

Britannia_0228
ship’s badge
for HMS Cavendish

CEMEX_0207 relish pot Kendalls_0769 fuse box cover for Bofors gun

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Celebrating 15 Years of Winners!
Over the years we’ve seen some very deserving winners of the annual finds awards. We’ve had a look
back to see who they are. Maybe you could be our next ones?

Dredged Up Best Attitude by a Vessel Best Attitude by a Vessel Best Find

Issue 2 Autumn 2007 Solent Aggregates Ltd Wharf, Hanson Arco Humber Hanson_0035 Mammoth tusk discovered
2007 Bedhampton Quay Hanson Arco Humber at Purfleet Aggregates in Thurrock
Issue 3 Spring 2008 UMA Ridham Wharf UMA CEMEX Sand Swan CEMEX UMA_0081 Saddle magazine discovered
2008 Ridham Wharf Sand Swan at Ridham Wharf
Issue 4 Spring 2009 UMD Bedhampton Wharf Hanson Arco Adur Kendalls_0130 Admiralty style telescope
Issue 6 Spring 2010 CEMEX Portslade Wharf Hanson Arco Humber and UMA_0197 Vis’ or ‘Radom’ pistol
2010 CEMEX Portslade Wharf Hanson Arco Avon discovered at Tarmac Greenwich Wharf
Issue 8 Spring 2011 Tarmac Erith Wharf Tarmac CEMEX Sand Fulmar CEMEX Tarmac_0292 and 0293: Hallmarked
Issue 8 Spring 2011 Erith Wharf Tarmac Erith Sand Fulmar CEMEX Sand Silver Tableware discovered at
2011 Wharf Tarmac Erith Wharf FulmarCEMEX Sand Fulmar Ridham Wharf
Issue 10 Spring 2012 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf CEMEX Sand Falcon CEMEX Tarmac_0335 Cartwheel Penny
2012 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf Sand Falcon discovered at Bedhampton Wharf
Issue 12 Spring 2013 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf CEMEX Sand Fulmar CEMEX Tarmac_0395 Schermuly naval rocket line
2013 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf Sand Fulmar thrower discovered at Greenwich Wharf
Issue 14 Spring 2014 Lafarge Tarmac Burnley Hanson Arco Arun Hanson LTM_0496 Pewter Syringe discovered at
2014 Wharf Arco Arun Bedhampton Wharf
Issue 16 Spring 2015 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf DEME Victor Horta DEME LTM_0535 Enfield Bullet discovered at
2015 Tarmac Greenwich Wharf Victor Horta Burnley Wharf
Issue 18 Spring 2016 Tarmac Burnley Wharf Tarmac Hanson Arco Dart Hanson LTM_0581 Antique dive regulator
2016 Burnley Wharf Arco Dart discovered at Bedhampton Wharf
Issue 20 Spring 2017 Tarmac Burnley Wharf Tarmac Tarmac City of London Tarmac_0672 11 cannonballs discovered
2017 Burnley Wharf Tarmac City of London at Burnley Wharf
Issue 22 Spring 2018 Cemex Shoreham Wharf Tarmac City of Chichester CEMEX_0770 Drogue parachute
2018 Cemex Shoreham Wharf Tarmac City of Chichester discovered by CEMEX Sand Fulmar
Issue 24 Spring 2019 Tarmac Marchwood Wharf Tarmac City of Cardiff CEMEX_0825 Hand grenade discovered
2019 Tarmac Marchwood Wharf Tarmac City of Cardiff at CEMEX Leamouth Wharf
Issue 26 Spring 2020 CEMEX Angerstein Wharf Tarmac City of Westminster CEMEX_0908 Submarine pyrotechnic
and Hanson Arco Beck discovered at Shoreham Wharf

Top row (from left): Tarmac City of London; Angerstein Wharf team; Greenwich Wharf team.
Bottom row (from left): Bedhampton Wharf team; Burnley Wharf team; Shoreham Wharf team; Solent Aggregates Bedhampton Wharf team.

5
Licence Areas around the United Kingdom
The table on the right shows a breakdown of where Region Licence Area Finds
finds have originated from in the last 15 years (up until Belgium 758 3
October 2019). Some areas have changed their East Coast 202 1
location, shape and size over the years but the map on East Coast 228 6
the next page is true as of 2020. East Coast 240 174
East Coast 242 14
East Coast 251 12
From the table it appears that Areas 240, 360 and East Coast 254 25
430 have the highest number of reported finds East Coast 296 19
since 2005, although no one area is more important East Coast 319 24
East Coast 328/1 1
than another. East Coast 328A 1
East Coast 360 277
Area 240 is famous for producing Palaeolithic material East Coast 361 15
including hand axes, worked flints and a large quantity East Coast 401/2 1
East Coast 401/2B 1
of animal bones and teeth belonging to a variety of East Coast 430 338
animals including woolly mammoth and woolly rhino. East Coast 511 50
This year, we have had a large quantity of finds from East Coast 512 6
Area 240 that have not been included in these figures, East Coast 513/2 1
East English Channel 458 16
due to being discovered after October 2019, but will be East English Channel 460 22
in the upcoming Annual Report. East English Channel 461 9
East English Channel 473 7
A total of 250 large fragments of waterlogged and East English Channel 474 3
East English Channel 478 1
mineralised wood from an eroding peat layer was Humber 102 1
reported from Area 360 along with mineralised bone, Humber 106/3 3
fragments of deer antler and bone, a fragment of Humber 106C 4
worked flint, a mammoth tooth, and an elephant, Humber 107 10
Humber 197 1
or possibly mammoth, atlas vertebra. Humber 408 5
Humber 484 1
Area 430 has produced several pieces of aircraft Humber 514/1 1
wreckage including engine components, structural N/A Mixed 55
N/A Unknown 114
elements and internal fittings, probably from a Junkers N/A N/A 1
Ju 88. Several other undiagnostic pieces of riveted North West 175/2 2
aluminium and a saddle magazine with ammunition North West 392 2
from a German MG 15 machine gun have also been South Coast 122/1A 4
South Coast 122/3 90
reported from the area. South Coast 122/3C 3
South Coast 123G 1
Wharves receiving cargoes from Areas 240, 360 South Coast 124/1A 3
and 430 should be extra vigilant, although cargos South Coast 127 158
South Coast 137 22
from all licence area should be observed for South Coast 340 27
archaeological material. South Coast 351 94
South Coast 372 1
South Coast 372/1 23
South Coast 395 2
South Coast 395/1 156
South Coast 395/2 2
South Coast 396 7
South Coast 396/1 3
South Coast 407 1
South Coast 451 4
South Coast 500/3 2
South West 377 1
South West 391 1
South West 472 2
Thames 509/2 5
Thames 509/3 2
Thames 510/1 2
Thames Estuary 113/1 8
Thames Estuary 447 23
Thames Estuary 498 5
Hanson_0133 finds from Area 240 Total 1879

6
 N

Find spot
Area
0 100 km

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2020.

Distribution of find spots and areas covering 15 years of the Protocol

Hanson_0935 mammoth tooth Hanson_0938_001 CEMEX_0039 worked flint CEMEX_0284 mammoth atlas
from Area 240 handaxe from Area 240 from Area 360 vertebra from Area 360

CEMEX_0265 antler fragment UMA_0080 & UMA_0083 aircraft parts

from Area 360 UMA_0081 saddle magazine from Area 430 from Area 430

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Other Work at Wharves
Due to Covid-19, we were unable to visit the wharves
to give the archaeological awareness training this year.
We missed you all! In the meantime, if you are looking
for awareness materials, there is a short video and
handouts available at: https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/
our-work/marine-aggregate-industry-protocol-reporting-
finds-archaeological-interest

We also visit CEMEX Northfleet and Hanson Dagenham

a few times a year to carry out a programme of two-day
archaeological Operational Sampling. As this is open
air work, we were able to carry this out safely with Northfleet Wharf
social distancing. During the visits in February and August 2020, the
archaeologists sifted through the fraction of cargo
In 2007/2008, Palaeolithic artefacts, including hand greater than 20 mm by hand to identify any
axes, flakes and cores, as well as a series of bones archaeological material present. The finds included
(woolly mammoth, woolly rhino, bison, reindeer and animal bones and possible flint flakes.
horse) were discovered by Mr Jan Meulmeester in
stockpiles of gravel at SBV Flushing Wharf,
Netherlands and reported through the Protocol. The
finds were dredged from the dredging Licence Area
240, which is on the east coast.

As a result of these significant finds, work in and

around Licence Area 240 involved mapping the
offshore extents of the Palaeo-Yare (a now-
submerged Palaeolithic river system), highlighting
the potential of the southern North Sea to Dagenham Wharf
contain archaeological remains of national and Archaeologists visited the site during March to August
international significance belonging to submerged observing the fraction of cargo greater than 20 mm.
prehistoric landscapes. The finds included animal bones and mammoth teeth
(see above) as well as hand axes and flint flakes.
Based on this work, English Heritage (now Historic
England) requested that programmes of archaeological Both wharves are always extremely welcoming and
Operational Sampling of dredging activity in the accommodating and we’d like to thank them
Lowestoft short-term licence areas be implemented. profusely for their time!

For more information on the Protocol,

how to book visits or to request copies of any awareness material
please contact Wessex Archaeology
Email: protocol@wessexarch.co.uk Tel: 01722 326867
or visit Wessex Archaeology’s Protocol website
www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/bmapa

Protocol
for the Reporting of Finds of Archaeological Interest

Prepared by
wessex
archaeology