West Coast Palaeolandscapes Survey Main

In 2009 a pilot study for the West Coast area was commissioned by English Heritage building on the results of the North Sea Palaeolandscape Project (NSPP). It sought to investigate the methodology of utilising a wider variety of seismic data sources to determine the extent and nature of the submerged landscapes contained within an area of the Irish Sea. The results of the pilot project identified several areas within the UK where sufficient data, albeit often in the form of older 2D survey, would support comparative work. The west coast of Britain was identified as a particularly interesting area, both archaeologically and methodologically, and the Irish Sea and Bristol Channel areas were highlighted for further study. Any information gleaned on the palaeolandscape here would inform our understanding of the development of the Mesolithic and, potentially, the Palaeolithic, in both England and Wales. Information gained would also have considerable value for our understanding of the archaeological records of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In addition any knowledge provided would assist heritage and mineral management strategy of offshore development control within these areas.