Nonlinear landscape and cultural response to sea-level rise

Dataset S1 (separate file). Relative sea-level database for Scilly comprising directly dated radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence samples with corresponding metainformation (lithostratigraphy, elevation, depositional environment and indicative meaning interpretations, paleotidal range change and sea-level calculations) following the ‘HOLSEA’ (‘Geographic Variability of Holocene Relative Sea Level’) protocol (Khan et al., 2019*). Dataset S2 (separate file). Table containing pollen results as relative abundance (genus level), modelled ages and age uncertainty for pollen samples, landcover index results (community cluster numbers and nMDS ordination axes 1 and 2), foraminifera results as species counts and transfer function results as paleomarsh elevations with uncertainty (1σ). Foraminifera samples with low test concentrations have indicative ranges (from mean high water neap tides to highest astronomical tides) in place of paleomarsh elevation estimations. Foraminifera abbreviations: H.wil – Haplophragmoides wilbertii ; J.mac – Jadammina macrescens ; M.fus – Miliammina fusca ; P.ipo – Polysaccammina ipohalina ; T.inf – Trochammina infalta ; T.och – Trochammina ochracea ; A.bat - Ammonia batavus ; A.mam – Asterigerinata mamilla ; B.var – Bolivina variablis; E.cri – Elphidium crispum ; E.wil – Elphidium Williamsoni ; F.spp. – Fissurina spp. ; Elphidium spp. ; H.ger – Haynesina germanica ; L.lob – Lobatula lobatula ; O.spp. – Oolha spp. ; Q.sem – Quinqueloculina seminula; R.spp. – Rosalina spp.. Dataset S3 (separate file). Database containing three worksheets for developing archaeological indices for Scilly. ‘SWBritain’ – Radiocarbon dates from Devon and Cornwall used to develop a summed probability distribution curve as an estimate of population demographic variation in Southwest Britain. ‘NWFrance’ - Radiocarbon dates from Brittany and Normandy used to develop a summed probability distribution curve as an estimate of population demography in Northwest France. ‘Scilly’ – Archaeological monuments from Scilly used to develop a probabilistic index of population variability.The article associated with these datasets is located in ORE at: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/123489Rising sea levels have been associated with human migration and behavioral shifts throughout prehistory, often with an emphasis on landscape submergence and consequent societal collapse. However, the assumption that future sea-level rise will drive similar adaptive responses is overly simplistic. Whilst the change from land to sea represents a dramatic and permanent shift for pre-existing human populations, the process of change is driven by a complex set of physical and cultural processes with long transitional phases of landscape and socio-economic change. Here we use reconstructions of prehistoric sea-level rise, paleogeographies, terrestrial landscape change and human population dynamics to show how the gradual inundation of an island archipelago resulted in decidedly non-linear landscape and cultural responses to rising sea-levels. Interpretation of past and future responses to sea-level change requires a better understanding of local physical and societal contexts to assess plausible human response patterns in the future.Historic EnglandWelsh GovernmentHigher Education Funding Council for Wale

St Anthony's Finds Record

This project looked at the finds recovered from the wreck of the St Anthony wrecked of Gunwalloe, Cornwall on the 19th January 1527 while sailing from Flanders to Portugal. This archive includes a report, database and photographs of the finds recovered from the wreck

Colossus Dive Trail Maintenance and Wheel Wreck Dating 2019

This project undertook maintenance of the Colossus dive trail and the collection of further dating evidence from the Wheel Wreck to aid the identification of this wreck. Both sites are protected historic wrecks and are only about six kilometres apart. The rationale behind combining these two projects was that considerable financial savings can be made by combining the fieldwork into a single event. This collection contains drawings, photographs and 3D models.. There is also a project report.The artefacts recovered during the project will be deposited at the Isles of Scilly museum. The early diving weights recovered from Colossus are currently on loan to the Historic Diving museum at Portsmouth

Rill Cove Finds Project

This project looked at the finds recovered from the unknown wreck at Rill Cove, Cornwall. This archive includes a reports, finds database and photographs of the finds

HMS Colossus Wrecking Project 2017

Fieldwork was undertaken by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Maritime Archaeology Society (CISMAS) for two weeks in May 2017. Large areas of the seabed around the stern site were searched in detail in order to better understand the events leading to the present disposition of wreck material on the seabed. This was mainly prompted by the proposal of a new wrecking theory by CISMAS in 2015. This project revisits the loss of the ship, the historic salvage of the wreck and the rediscovery of the site and subsequent excavation by Roland Morris in the 1970s. The evolution of our understanding of how and where Colossus was wrecked is examined in some detail. This is followed by an explanation of the new wrecking theory - and how the results of this year's survey accord with it. The Colossus survey 2017 archive consists mainly of a report and a collection of photographs and videos documenting the discoveries made during the survey. A single fragment of pottery was recovered and this has been deposited in the Isles of Scilly Museum

Wheel Wreck Investigation 2018

The waters around the Isles of Scilly contain a formidable number of historic shipwrecks, including five protected wreck sites. One of the most intriguing and enigmatic of these is the Wheel Wreck, a collection of corroded iron machinery lying in an orderly pile on the seabed in 16m of water. In April 2018, CISMAS carried out a six-day survey of the site. The cargo mound was measured, surveyed and enumerated. This has allowed the production of a cargo list, site plan and identification of most of the cargo items lying on the seabed. A limited search around the cargo mound produced a small quantity of pottery and glass which was used to indicate an earlier date for this site. It has not been possible to identify the vessel which carried this cargo. However, we have estimated the hold size, beam and tonnage of the vessel from the disposition and quantity of the cargo. This, along with the revised date for the site, should help to narrow down the documentary search for the name of the wreck

Digital Archive for the Royal Anne Galley Artefact Recording Project 2023

This archive comprises the digital record of the artefacts made as part of the Royal Anne Galley Artefact Recording Project in 2023. This includes digital photographs of over 600 artefacts recovered from the protected wreck site of the Royal Anne Galley between 1991 and 2005

Isles of Scilly Designated Wrecks Interpretation

This project concerns the five designated wreck sites situated in the Isles of Scilly: Tearing Ledge, HMS Association, Bartholomew Ledges, HMS Colossus and the Wheel Wreck. The first phase of the project collected high resolution multi-beam data for each of the five sites. The second phase entailed production of photographs and video from four of the sites (not including HMS Colossus). The final phase was the creation of web-based virtual site tours for the Tearing Ledge, HMS Association, Bartholomew Ledges and the Wheel Wreck, and the enhancement and integration of the existing HMS Colossus virtual dive trail

Royal Anne Galley Marine Environmental Assessment

The Royal Anne Galley was a galley frigate was wrecked off the Lizard in 1721 while on voyage to the Barbados. There were only three survivors out of 200 passengers and crew. The most notable of those who perished was Lord Belhaven who was going to take up the Governorship of Barbados. The wreck site was rediscovered in 1991 by local diver Robert Sherratt when a large sounding lead was found adjacent to two iron guns. Subsequently numerous objects were recovered from the seabed in the vicinity of the iron guns, including items of cutlery bearing the Belhaven crest, which led to the identification of the wreck. The wreck was designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) as the Royal Anne Galley in 1993

Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre

The Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre is located in the small harbour of Charlestown, near St Austell in Cornwall. It is a privately owned maritime museum housing many objects recovered from historic shipwrecks. The objects on display range in date from the 16th century ot the present day. The main aim of this project is the recording of objects in the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre originating from wrecks currently protected under the Protection of Wrecks act 1973 (PWA). The record includes a finds database, a provenance record detailing how the objects ended up in the museum and a detailed photographic record of the objects