Wessex Archaeology (WSX) Geophysical Survey: WESSEX2A: (17/Feb/2005 to 17/Feb/2005)

Wessex Archaeology (WA) was commissioned by English Heritage (EH) to undertake geophysical surveys as part of the project entitled ‘Wrecks on the Seabed: Assessing, Evaluating and Recording’, supported by Round 2 of the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). The specific aim of this project was to provide industry, regulators and contractors with guidance on the archaeological assessment, evaluation and recording of wreck sites. ‘Assessment, evaluation and recording’ are taken to include various methods of archaeological investigation that are intended to improve the understanding, preservation and appreciation of the historic environment. Geophysical surveys were conducted over four wreck site areas. This archive relates to the geophysical survey over Hastings Shingle Bank covering the area of the wreck Thomas Lawrence. During the geophysics survey sidescan sonar, single beam echosounder, multibeam echosounder and magnetometer data were acquired. Sidescan sonar, magnetometer and single beam bathymetric surveys were conducted over the Hastings Shingle Bank by Titan Surveys Ltd., aboard the survey vessel Titan Explorer, under supervision from WA staff. These surveys was conducted intermittently during 15 survey days over 47 days between the 17th February – 5th April 2005 with substantial delays due to adverse weather conditions. The geology and geophysics component of the data are archived at British Geological Survey (BGS) MEDIN Data Archive Centre (DAC) for Geology and Geophysics. Data were also provided to other archive centres as appropriate.