Underwater Archaeology Centre
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The Underwater Archaeology Centre, run by the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, is located in the Maritime Heritage Centre at Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight. The Underwater Archaeology Centre has been developed over time by the Trust to become an educational hub for the local community, schools and dive groups. Within the Exhibition, the work of the Trust is displayed to help educate and inform the public of the history of the area and the importance of conserving and recording maritime archaeological heritage.
The exhibiton is intended to bring to life ships claimed by the treacherous coast of the Isle of Wight; the work of maritime archaeologists and the submerged landscape lying beneath the Solent. Activity days for the public are held throughout the year.
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[edit] Exhibits
[edit] Shipwrecks
One of the key areas of maritime archaeology is the exploration and preservation of shipwrecks. One area of the exhibition looks at why shipwrecks are important and how they are caused. The exhbition explores why there are so many wrecks in the Solent area and how wrecks become time capsules of the past. It focuses on the wreck of HMS Pomone, an 1805 Leda class gun frigate, lost on the Needles while returning from the Mediterranean with military intelligence for the King George. The story is told though in-depth text panels and a DVD that uses underwater video to explore the wreck site.
[edit] Archaeology in practice
This part of the exhbition is intended to provide visitors with the impression that they are below deck looking out at marine archaeologists at work deep under the sea. The barnacle encrusted Alum Bay wooden gun carriage wheel is on display as part of the exhibit. It was brought up by divers in 2002 and is made of exotic wood that is yet to identified.
[edit] Submerged landscapes
Underwater video footage, taken by divers, shows the pre-historic cliffs and remains of forests that lie under the Solent. A lobster can be seen digging its nest and uncovering mesolithic flint tools. The exhibition explains how the seas rose following the end of the ice age to submerge the landscape. Flint tools are on display along with images of the pre-historic animals that lived under and around the ancient valleys that are now under the sea.
[edit] History of Fort Victoria
Fort Victoria was built in 1855 to defend the Western entrance of the Solent. The history and stories relating to the Fort are part of the exhibition.
[edit] Discovery Room
The Discovery Room provides interactive, hands on learning and discovery. A touch screen display provides the opportunity for visitors to test their knowledge, play games and view the underwater world.
