The foreshore between the High Water Mark (HWM) and the Low Water Mark (LWM) remains one of the most unexplored landscapes from an archaeological perspective and merges the transition between underwater and land-based archaeology. It is a dynamic environment, prone to extreme weather events which inevitably present opportunities for new features to become exposed. Intertidal survey sheds some light upon this largely overlooked landscape and represents the means by which foreshore features are recorded.
Our personnel are experienced marine professionals who know what to look for in this often kelp-strewn and rocky landscape; old quays, slipways, and fishing weirs being typical of the type of intertidal structures discovered, along with midden heaps and human burials that can become exposed in areas of coastal erosion. Moreover, with wrecks over 100 years old recognized as retaining archaeological interest, even the abandoned carcass of a hulk or skiff needs to be recorded, while fence-lines, groynes and other structural features add further insight to cultural impacts on the coastline.
ADCO has developed robust safety protocols for carrying out this type of intertidal work, in what can often be a hostile working environment.
