OAU TO DIG NEWPORT SHIP

There have been more twists in the saga of the Newport ship. The unique 15th century vessel was discovered last June during the construction of an arts centre and was only excavated after a vocal public campaign. 95% of the ship was excavated by Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT).

However, Newport Council has announced that the rest of the ship - the bow - will be excavated not by GGAT but by Oxford (OAU) and Mary Rose Archaeological Services. Is it a coincidence that GGAT are currently in dispute with the council for an unpaid bill for work amounting to over £100,000?

The council has also said that it is too dangerous to excavate the ship’s stern even though experts insist that this is vital to understand the ship’s construction. Outraged local campaigners are convinced the true explanation for the decision not to recover the stern is the compensation that would have to be paid to the builders of the arts centre by the council if construction work were delayed.

Links ::

http://www.thenewportship.com/ All about the Ship

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2935887.stm BBC report on raising of the Bow

http://www.maryrose.org/archservice/ About the Mary Rose Arch. Services

http://www.ggat.org.uk/ GGAT Website