Eight lucky and brave 12 to 17 year olds spent May 2008 exploring their sunken history as they dived into the cold Solent sea to explore ancient shipwrecks with maritime archaeologists from the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA).
As well as diving on shipwrecks including the Pomone, War Knight and Joannis Millis, the young pioneers also investigated the foreshore for WWII archaeology, and tried their hand at rowing a reproduction of an ancient coracle. With their new-found skills the group measured, drew, photographed and recorded the archaeology in exactly the same way as professional maritime archaeologists.
No other project of this kind has ever taken place before with such young archaeologists. HWTMA Education Officer, Alison Hamer says that she is “extremely proud of the children’s determination and is impressed with how the challenge brought out their best qualities”.
To find out more visit the website designed by the young people at, www.divein2008.co.uk