Interviews
Our ‘10 questions in 5 minutes’ with leading researchers, academics, and authors in the fields of history and archaeology.
Alison James
Alison is a maritime archaeologist and works as the Heritage and Systems Manager of MSDS Marine - a specialist marine and coastal contractor which handles the management, execution, and support of archaeological projects in the marine environment. She also has experience in maritime heritage management and is passionate about community engagement and education initiatives.
Alison has worked with some of the main organisations in UK maritime archaeology including Historic England, the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, and the Nautical Archaeology Society.
You can find out more about Alison and her work below:
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1. What inspired you to be involved in your area of expertise?
When I was seven my primary school class got taken to see an excavation in the village where we lived. Archaeologists were excavating a Romano British settlement and a muddy post hole got me hooked. It was only when I was 18 and at University studying archaeology that I learnt to dive to go on holiday to the Red Sea and suddenly realised I could combine the two things and do maritime archaeology!
2. What do you like most about your field?
I love working with licensees on protected wreck sites. They have so many wonderful stories and years of experience and I love listening to them.
3. How did you get involved in your field of study/research?
Once I knew that I wanted to do maritime archaeology I took every Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) course going and volunteered everywhere that I could. This ended up leading to a job at the NAS before I moved on to other things. Ultimately it led me to spending ten years at Historic England managing England’s protected wreck sites, hence my love for the wrecks and the licensees!
4. What book, website, or other resource would you recommend to new students of Archaeology?
I love all of the dive trails on the protected wreck sites, both the physical ones exploring the seabed and also the virtual ones (Click Here) but also would like to suggest a game of Protected Wreck Trumps as they are a great way to find out more about the huge variety of wreck sites that we have!
5. What book, website, or other resource do you think is possibly the best you have ever found?
As an ex Historic England employee I am going to have to say the National Heritage List for England. It is the only official, up to date, register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites (including wrecks) in England. It includes information on all protected wreck sites as well as those scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act. The public are encouraged to help to ‘Enrich the List’ by sharing knowledge and photos of places on the list. It’s a great place to start to find out more about protected wreck sites and to add information to bring the sites to life.
6. Can you mention one or two emerging themes you have observed in Archaeology?
I think over the last few years maritime archaeologists have really started to think more about how we engage with the public. We know we are lucky getting to explore sites that are out of sight and reach of the majority of the public who don’t dive. Large scale excavation projects such as the #Rooswijk1740 project and the Invincible excavation have really led the way in engaging new audiences in new and innovative ways. This has to be a good thing for the profession both in terms of encouraging the next generation of archaeologists but also in raising awareness and support for what we do.
A second theme which I am hugely encouraged by is the new techniques and approaches to tackling marine heritage crime. Over the last ten years reporting and awareness of marine heritage crime issues have dramatically improved. Enforcement authorities are knowledgeable about marine heritage crime and are working with the sector to prevent crime and enforce laws. There is some really great networks and work going on and we are in a very different situation to ten years ago when it comes to tackling illegal diving and salvage.
7. What advice would you give someone starting out in Archaeology?
Volunteer as much as you can and really do think about all the skills you can offer! It isn’t just your archaeological knowledge but all the other skills you can bring the discipline such as communication, design, IT, and project management. Take all the free courses that are out there and talk to the commercial companies about opportunities for volunteering.
8. If you could meet any historical figure who would it be and why?
As I am based in Derbyshire it would have to be Bess of Hardwick! Hardwick Hall is one of my favourite places to visit with my children and Bess was a pretty awesome Elizabethan noblewoman. She was a clever business woman and rose to the highest levels of English nobility from relatively humble beginnings. She led a pretty extraordinary life and built Hardwick New Hall which is a wonderful place that is well worth visiting. Her life story is really fascinating and I recommend everyone finds out more about her.
9. Which era or time period would you like to visit?
I would love to visit the Netherlands in 1740 – the year the Rooswijk sank. We have so many brilliant finds from the wreck that it would be wonderful to experience the busy docks as East India company vessels prepared for their voyages and to see the things we have found as they were being used.
10. Do you have a favourite historical quote, if so what is it?
Admiral Sir Arthur Wilson, then Controller of the Navy, was quoted as saying that “submarines are underhand, unfair, and damned un-English” in response to submarines entering service. Nevertheless the navy went ahead and placed an order with submarine pioneer John Phillip Holland. The Holland V submarine is now a protected wreck site!
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