Bournemouth University Maritime Archaeology

15/10/2026

Maritime archaeology fieldtrip to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Looming at the change in ships and life at sea between the Mary Rose 🏵️, Victory ⛵, and Warrior 🚢.

The Mary Rose Royal Navy Museums

09/10/2026

FINDS FRIDAY Montelupo Olive oil jarHundreds of sherds of thick red ceramic were found jumbled together on the wreck site of , which sank in 1758. Back in the lab, it became clear that some of the sherds fitted together — and as more were joined, almost two complete jars emerged.In the 18th century, olive oil formed part of Royal Navy rations, as it was thought to last longer at sea than butter. In 1727, the monthly ration was around three pints per man. Our jars held around 240 pints meaning that the ship needed over eight and a half jars a month to feed the 690 people who were onbaord the Invincible when she sank. The Navy may have been the largest single customer in Britain for imported edible oil during the 18th century. As a result, Montelupo oil jars have been found across the world, reflecting the global reach of the trade and the Navy.

Invincible and Hazardous Wreck Sites

View the find in 3d here: https://skfb.ly/pOvwK

06/10/2026

🌊⚓ A special visit to the MAST Centre

We were delighted to welcome Professor Michael Dooley, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, to the MAST Archaeological Centre in Poole, where he met our archaeology students and graduates getting got an insight into the exciting work taking place across our maritime community.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet the King’s representative in Dorset, share their experiences and showcase the knowledge and practical skills they are developing at Bournemouth University.

A huge thank you to Professor Dooley for taking the time to visit, meet our students and learn more about the work that MAST and the BU team do in Dorset at the wider world.

02/10/2026

🔎 FINDS FRIDAY | A medieval mystery?

This grindstone was recently discovered during a circle search 45 metres west of the 13th century Mortar Wreck by and Liv Webb and photographed by Paul Pettitt

These stones would have been rotated to sharpen tools and have been known to exist since the 9th century and are still in use today. What makes ours intriguing is the fully wooden axle suggesting it is pre-industrial.

Could this grindstone be contemporary with the wreck? We simply don’t know yet — but the survival of the wooden axle makes this find particularly interesting.

We’re hoping to have the timber scientifically tested and dated, which could help us establish its age and perhaps reveal whether this little find has a connection to the medieval wreck.

For now, it’s a fascinating mystery… 🧐

What do you think — medieval, or a later find?

See our Sketchfab account in our bio to look at the grindstone in 3D.

The Luttrell Psalter (c. 1323–1340) (BL Add MS 42130, fol. 78b) depicts three men using a grindstone to sharpen a knife. Interestingly, the illustration shows a short wooden axle, although it is unclear how the larger handles would have been attached. On our grindstone, there is a possible fixing point on one side, which may relate to the attachment of the handle or mechanism. This will be investigated further and confirmed by X-ray examination in the near future.

24/09/2026

🤿🎉 Celebrating some seriously impressive milestones! 🎉🤿

A huge congratulations to two of our amazing students, Niamh and Liv, on reaching some fantastic diving milestones while diving on the medieval Mortar Wreck! 🌊

🐠 Niamh — 50 dives!
🦈 Liv — 75 dives!

And what makes it even more special? All of those dives have been archaeological dives, exploring incredible underwater history and getting to experience the past from a whole new perspective. 🏺⚓️

Both Niamh and Liv learned to dive with us as part of our scientific diving unit gaining BSAC - British Sub-Aqua Club diving qualifications allowing them to join in with our dive team and it’s been fantastic watching their confidence, skills and passion for diving grow.

Here’s to the next 50 and 75 dives, and all the amazing adventures still to come! 🥂🤿🌊

Congratulations Niamh & Liv — we’re so proud of you both! 💙 "BUPROUD

21/09/2026

This week we will be working to set up a new moorings on the Valentine tanks in Poole Bay. Thanks to a grant from Historic England

These remarkable amphibious tanks are an important part of our wartime heritage, and this work will help protect and prevent further damage to the scheduled monuments.

…

20/09/2026

20/09/2026

⚓️ HERITAGE OPEN DAYS – TODAY! ⚓️

Discover the fascinating stories hidden beneath the waters of Studland Bay! 🌊

Join us TODAY, Sunday 20 September, from 10am–4pm at the Discovery Centre, Knoll Beach, to explore the incredible history of the wrecks of Studland Bay.

🛳️ Discover the 17th-century Swash Channel wreck and the Fame of Hoorn
⚓️ Learn about the 13th-century mortar ship wreck
🏺 Explore Purbeck’s fascinating industrial past
🧱 See medieval encaustic tile-making demonstrations at 11am & 2pm
🏴‍☠️ Family-friendly displays, activities and pirate dress-up for children!

And best of all… it’s FREE! 🎉

📍 Discovery Centre, Knoll Beach, Studland
🕙 10am–4pm
📅 TODAY – Sunday 20 September
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family friendly
🎟️ No booking required

Come along, discover some remarkable local history and uncover the stories of Studland Bay’s fascinating wrecks! 🌊⚓️

👉 Tag someone who loves history, archaeology or the sea!

LocalHistory MaritimeHistory Archaeology Shipwrecks FamilyDayOut ThingsToDoInDorset HistoryLovers FreeEvent VisitDorset NationalTrust

18/06/2026

Congratulations to all involved, especially to our friends and colleagues at Bournemouth University Maritime Archaeology and the South West Maritime Archaeology Group.

The identity of a centuries-old shipwreck discovered off the south coast of England, holding 400 gold coins has finally been identified as the Dutch trading ship “Dom van Keulen” which left Morocco for the Netherlands in the autumn of 1633.

https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/news/2026-06-19/mystery-17th-century-shipwreck-holding-400-gold-coins-finally-solved-after-30-years

19/05/2026