28 March 2007

Operators Commended in Marine Archaeological Awards

The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) has announced special commendations for three sites operated by its member companies following their contributions to the advancement of marine archaeology and the understanding of our past. The awards arrive in the wake of a new protocol, introduced in 2005, which has guided marine aggregate dredging companies in reporting archaeological finds more effectively and go to the organisations that can make the most of the discovery. Developed in partnership with English Heritage, the protocol has helped the 800 staff amongst the sector's operating companies to identify over 80 significant finds in just one year.

Now BMAPA has awarded prizes to the site that has discovered the most interesting or significant find alongside an award for the site displaying the most professional attitude towards archaeological reporting. The awards have been judged by the Head of Maritime Archaeology within English Heritage, Ian Oxley.

The find with the most archaeological value, which will make the biggest contribution to knowledge and understanding, is the mammoth tusk discovered by staff at Purfleet Aggregates in Thurrock, Essex in February 2006. The tusk was within a cargo of marine sand and gravel dredged from a licenced area in the North Sea, 100 kilometres east of the River Humber. Dated by English Heritage's Scientific Dating section as around 44000 years old, the tusk represents one of the most northerly dated examples of mammoth remains ever recovered from an accurately known position on the seabed, and may have significant implications for understanding the distribution of the species during the last Ice Age.

The award for most professional attitude in applying the protocol throughout the year at a wharf is to be presented to Solent Aggregates Ltd, Bedhampton Quay, where the wharf staff were judged to be both efficient and enthusiastic in their application of the reporting requirements.

The award for most professional attitude in applying the protocol throughout the year at sea is to be presented to the marine aggregate dredger 'Arco Humber' operated by Hanson Aggregates Marine, whose staff had been regularly reporting small fossil fragments amongst the 8500t cargo of sand and gravel.

Chairman of BMAPA, Kevin Seaman commented 'When BMAPA started talking to English Heritage in 2000 to see what practical and useful steps could be developed, I don't think any of us could have predicted the significant progress that would be made. Seven years down the line, we have worked in partnership to produce a world-class Guidance Note followed up by a world-class Reporting Protocol for finds encountered during the production process.'

Ian Oxley, Head of Maritime Archaeology for English Heritage said 'The marine aggregate sector has effectively defined the standards for all other marine development activities to aspire to, and this is something that everyone involved in the industry can be incredibly proud of. Already, high standards have been set in the first year of the reporting protocols operation, reflecting the professionalism and enthusiasm of sea and wharf staff. The industry's challenge will be to maintain and improve their performance over the coming years.'

Further information on the Guidance Note, the reporting protocol and the finds that are being reported can be found at www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/bmapa

ENDS

For more information please contact Mark Russell by tel: 020 7963 8000 or e-mail russell@qpa.org, www.qpa.org

The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) was formed in 1992 and comprises members of the Quarry Products Association (QPA) with a marine interest. It operates 28 vessels on 70 production licences around the UK. The vessels are almost entirely British registered and carry British trained crew.

BMAPA members are: Britannia Aggregates Ltd, DEME Building Materials Ltd, Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd, Kendall Bros. (Portsmouth) Ltd, Northwood (Fareham) Ltd, Norwest Sand And Ballast Company Ltd, RMC Marine Ltd, United Marine Dredging Ltd, Volker Dredging Ltd

If you need any more information, please contact our Press office or return to the News homepage