Sonar device helps marine archaeologists look back

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 15 March 2002 Page Views: 693

A specialist defence firm with a base in Keynsham, near Bath, England, is helping archaeologists look back at thousands of years of marine history in the River Solent.

In the last 10,000 years sea level fluctuations and coastline movement in the western Solent have created a submerged landscape rich in archaeological treasures.
Over the past three years the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology have been investigating sites in the region using divers.
But the time has come to deploy more technically advanced methods of survey if significant advances in the understanding of the local seabed are to be made. Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) Group's marine Systems Division is now collaborating with the trust to deploy one of its latest sonar systems - the Submetrix 2000 Series Sonar - off Tanners Hard, near Lymington, and off Bouldner Cliff on the Isle of Wight.
The sonar is enabling the trust to produce maps and images of the submerged peat beds and river channels in these shallow coastal waters. Dr Tom Hiller, SEA's Submetrix marketing manager, said: "These maps and images are helping the trust understand the history of the region and identify sites for further diver investigation.
"This data is now being interpreted and it is already clear that the Submetrix Sonar has not only enhanced the archaeological record of the region but has helped inform the public of the importance of the rich archaeological resource off the Solent coast."
During recent months, SEA has announced noticeable contract successes with the National University of Ireland, and the Korean Research and Development Institute to add to the growing list of prominent worldwide users such as the US Geological Survey, the UK's Environment Agency, and QinetiQ in the UK, formerly the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.
Currently in its 13th year of business, SEA Group employs more than 200 staff at its offices at Keynsham, Beckington and North Bristol. The company specialises in offering systems, design and engineering solutions to the defence, transport, aviation and space industries.
Source: SEA Group Press Release

Note: Look out guys - you'll be 'defending' yourselves from Graham Hancock when he gets wind of this! :-)

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