IVO-underwater evaluation of GR-2 (protocol 4103)

Trident Archaeology was commissioned by WSP to carry out an IVO underwater evaluation (protocol 4103) of GR-2, an anomaly that had been highlighted as of possible archaeological interest. The anomaly is located in the Grevenligenmeer, approximately 100 m south-east off the Preekhillpolder, near Ouddorp. This assessment (SIKB BRL 4000 4.1 protocol 4103 IVO underwater evaluation) is part of the framework of works for the reinforcement of the nearby embankment and follows an initial inventory investigation.<br>The diving operations consisted of exposing a large timber partly buried at the location, record it, sample it, recovery it and re-deposit on site. To evaluate the presence of buried material and understand the stratigraphy of the deposit, a limited campaign of probing and the excavation of a test trench were also carried out. This phase of fieldwork included specialist dendrochronological analyses.<br>The diving work was followed by a sub-bottom profiler survey. This survey revealed the presence of a large, buried feature 10 m north-west of the site and confirmed that the full extent of the buried material at the anomaly location is outside the area directly impacted by the proposed dyke reinforcement.<br>The investigation resulted in the identification of the timber at the anomaly location as part of the stem assembly of a wooden ship. The timber was probably sourced in England and the parent tree was felled at the end of the 16th century.