2.2 In-situ Monitoring and Stabilisation of the James Matthews Shipwreck Site

Reburial of underwater archaeological sites is becoming increasingly common practice. Reburial may be an appropriate means of stabilizing and decreasing the deterioration rate of a site, however, there needs to be a holistic approach to the study of the environment, before and after reburial, to gain a full understanding of the changes that are occurring on the site and determine the effectiveness of the technique. In the last few years, the James Matthews, wrecked in 1841 on Woodman Point, south of Fremantle, Western Australia has been identified as being under considerable threat from increased site exposure due to natural near-shore sedimentary processes and industrial activity in the immediate area. In 2000, an extensive on-site conservation survey was carried out to establish the state of preservation of the wreck. In 2003 it was confirmed that further exposure of the site was occurring at an alarming rate and devising a suitable in-situ management plan, including an extensive conservation monitoring programme was of paramount importance. A number of different reburial techniques are currently being evaluated and geological, physico-chemical and microbiological changes in the burial environment monitored over time. The results of these experiments will assist in implementing the most appropriate mitigation strategy for the long-term preservation of this wreck site.