The Crown Estate are pleased to launch a new scheme to help protect the nation’s marine heritage by providing a way to record archaeological and historical objects found by marine users in English and Welsh waters. Called the Marine Antiquities Scheme (MAS), it is a joint initiative funded by The Crown Estate and inspired by, and modelled on, The British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme for onshore finds. It will be managed by Wessex Archaeology. Both schemes dovetail to help further increase our knowledge of the UK’s rich and varied heritage. The scheme evolved from the realisation that each year divers, fishermen, boat operators and coastal visitors discover many interesting objects and sites while at sea but until now, there has been no way to centrally record them for the wider public benefit. Central to the MAS is a simple-to-use app that makes recording finds an easy process and gives finders immediate feedback as well as instructions on their statutory obligations, including the need to report any wreck to Receiver of Wreck. As part of the scheme, a support team of archaeological experts will research each of the finds submitted to learn more about its origins and history. The information about the…
