This Section of the EIA Report
presents the findings of an assessment of the impact of construction and
operation of the proposed mud pits at South Brothers on cultural heritage,
including Marine Archaeology.
The
objectives of this MAI include the following:
·
to
undertake a desktop review of marine archaeological sites in the project area;
·
to
review available geophysical reports and data, and evaluate if further
geophysical survey is required;
·
to
establish the archaeological potential of the selected site; and
·
to
assess the potential impact that may arise from the development and recommend appropriate
mitigation measures where necessary.
The baseline review is presented in full in Part 1,
Section 4.6 of this EIA Report and summarised here. The Marine Archaeological
Investigation Report is presented in Annex G.
Although the baseline review of the literature found that
the South Brothers Study Area has potential for underwater cultural heritage
sites, no sites of historical or archaeological significance were identified
from the literature, or the charts of the South Brothers Study Area.
A review of the data, maps and figures for the South
Brothers Survey Area ([1]) (see Annex G Figure 3.1) by
a marine archaeologist, Mr William Frederick Jeffery, did not locate any evidence
of likely archaeological or historical significant material. The Survey Area had been
greatly impacted by anchoring, trawling and dredging and the likelihood of it
containing any well-preserved remains is very minimal. Three sub bottom obstructions were
found in the seabed of the South Brothers Project Area. It is possible that the obstructions
are either cultural heritage material of archaeological/historical
significance, or recently dumped material of no archaeological/historical
significance. This will be
verified by an examination of the remains using marine archaeological
excavation during the detailed design stage.
The review of the charts and literature of this Project Area
failed to pin-point marine archaeological deposit in the area. The Geophysical Survey data is
inconclusive whether marine archaeological material is located within the area. The likelihood of the area containing
any well-preserved remains is considered minimal, however, an examination of
the remains using marine archaeological excavation will be undertaken during
the detailed design stage.
The Geophysical
Survey covers one third of the South Brothers Site (Pit A), further assessment
will be undertaken in the detailed design stage, prior to construction and
reported to AMO separately.
The review of the literature indicated that the region
adjacent to the South Brothers Facility had been occupied for over 4,000 years and
had been a focal point for Chinese and international maritime trade. On this basis there is the potential
for the area to include sites and objects of archaeological and historical
significance; however, a review of charts has identified no shipwreck records.
The findings of the geophysical survey covering one third of
the South Brothers Site (Pit A) indicated that the South Brothers Facility has
been heavily disturbed by anchoring, trawling and dredging. Three sub bottom obstructions were
found in the seabed of the South Brothers Project Area. It is possible that the obstructions
are either cultural heritage material of archaeological/historical
significance, or recently dumped material of no archaeological/historical
significance. The likelihood of
the area containing any well-preserved remains is considered minimal. In order to determine the
archaeological potential of these obstructions and ensure that, if they are in
fact of archaeological importance no impacts occur, it is proposed that a qualified
archaeologist conduct a Watching Brief during dredging works. Such a brief is only considered
necessary in the area where the obstructions are located. Full details on the Watching Brief, as
well as the proposed archaeologist, should be submitted to and approved by AMO
prior to the commencement of works.
CEDD is presently applying funding to undertake a full MAI
for the South Brothers Site, the findings of the remaining two thirds of the
South Brothers Site will be provided to AMO during to the detailed design stage
and prior to construction. The
objective of the full MAI will be to ensure that the proposed development will
impose no impact to marine archaeological resources.