Nautical/underwater archaeology
Based on his extensive experience in the excavation, recovery, post-excavation analysis and publication of boat and ship finds, Nigel Nayling offers a range of specialist services relating to nautical assemblages. As an HSE-qualified diver (Surface Supplied and SCUBA), these services can be offered on both terrestrial and underwater sites. A case study (presented below) of one ongoing project indicates the range of support available.
Services provided
- Development of project designs, post-excavation assessments and research designs
- On-site specialist support: specialist advice, staff training, in situ r
ecording and sampling 
Recovery, including dismantling, lifting, packaging and transportation, of ship/boat finds- Design and execution of post-excavation programmes of analysis and documentation
- Production of specialist archive and publication reports
For further information/advice or quotation in relation to these services, please contact Nigel Nayling (tel: +44(0)1570 424904; e-mail: n.nayling@lamp.ac.uk)
Case study: Newport medieval ship
During construction of a new theatre and arts centre in 2002 in Newport, South Wales, the substantial remains of a clinker-built ship were discovered. Nigel Nayling, acted as ship and timber specialist and provided interim tree-ring dates. Dates in the 1460s for timbers directly overlying the hull remains provided the first evidence for the medieval date of this important find. The ship differs fundamentally from later vessels, such as the Mary Rose built at least 40 years later, in being built from overlapping hull planking (clinker), with construction of the hull preceding insertion of the frames. This tradition of ship building is an ancient one, seen in Anglo-Saxon, Viking and medieval contexts throughout north-west Europe.
The discovery of the well-preserved remains of over 20 m of the hull, along with many internal features, such as decking, offers a rare opportunity to study a late example of this tradition.
Following a vociferous campaign by maritime archaeologists and the local community, the long-term preservation of the ship was agreed and over 21 m of the hull have been recovered for detailed study, conservation and eventual display. Further excavations in spring 2003 led to the recovery of additional remains of the bow. Excavations below the ship have uncovered exceedingly rare evidence for a medieval shipbuilding or repair site with large baulks of timber, felled in the winter of AD 1467/8, used to prepare a framework onto which the ship was heeled over.
Although excavations on the site have now been completed, much work remains to be done. Post-excavation documentation of the individual ship timbers is continuing with funding from Newport City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund with Nigel Nayling continuing to act as archaeological consultant to the project.