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Winwell Foundation launches to put spotlight on sub-seabed archaeology
A Perth academic’s passion for maritime archaeology has led him to launch a unique not-for-profit foundation aimed at helping identify, manage and ultimately preserve sub-seabed heritage material, such as historic shipwrecks and Indigenous sites.
The Winwell Foundation, founded by Dr Trevor Winton with unrelenting support from his wife Marianna, plans to provide data, guidance and training in Australian and international investigations of sub-seabed heritage materials without them being disturbed.
This is made possible through the use of state-of-the-art ‘acoustic wave’ technology and expert analysis.
This ‘non-invasive’ survey method could potentially help identify unknown wrecks, or accurately locate and profile Indigenous and other sites of historic or cultural significance now submerged and buried under silt or mud.
“The Foundation is aiming to conduct its own studies and support researchers and heritage managers to locate, map and characterise sub-seabed cultural heritage materials – including shipwrecks and sites flooded by sea-level rise – in order to preserve their legacy and tell their stories.” Dr Winton said.
“The Foundation, with the purpose of training, conducting and supporting others investigate sub-seabed cultural heritage materials for in-situ management and research purposes, evolved over the past two years following completion of my PhD”.
“It will enable me to fulfil my passions in maritime archaeology and contribute by supporting others to do likewise. The Foundation coalesces my entire professional career experiences and personal interests: ranging from decades of diving, sailing, fascination with historic shipwrecks and managing coastal process and marine environmental studies, to providing governance of large and diverse marine field programs and national not-for-profit organisations.”
“The Foundation is aiming to conduct its own studies and support researchers and heritage managers to locate, map and characterise sub-seabed cultural heritage materials – including shipwrecks and sites flooded by sea-level rise – in order to preserve their legacy and tell their stories.”
-Dr Trevor Winton, Winwell Foundation
Dr Winton has also assembled a team of world-class experts to join him on the Foundation’s Board and/or on the Research Committee, including:
- Former WA Museum Department of Marine Archaeology head Dr Jeremy Green
- UWA Distinguished Professor of Archaeology Peter Veth
- Flinders University Associate Professor Wendy Van Duivenvoorde
- Curtin University Associate Professor Andrew Woods
The catalyst for the Winwell Foundation was Dr Winton’s interest, as a volunteer with the Maritime Archaeological Association of WA (MAAWA), in the wreck of the purpose-built slave ship, the James Matthews.
“The James Matthews was a slaver but after being captured by the Royal Navy it was transformed into a merchant vessel.” he said.
“In 1841 it sailed from England bringing goods, equipment and people to the Swan River colony – only to be wrecked on Woodman Point the night after its arrival.”
“I became involved with the wreck site assisting WA Museum (WAM) staff understand the sedimentary processes acting on the site and how to protect elements exposed on the seabed from ongoing destruction.”
“This led from a wonder of what remained buried on the site, and in what condition, to a resolve to identify suitable tools with which to undertake non-invasive surveys of shallow-buried shipwreck sites.”
Prior to the wreck’s discovery, the stern section of the James Matthews’ buried hull had been badly damaged by nearby dredging operations – one of the types of destruction Dr Winton hopes the Winwell Foundation can help prevent on other significant wrecks or historic sites.
The technological key to the Winwell Foundation is a process known as parametric sub-bottom profiling (SBP), in which beams of acoustic waves are used to penetrate the seabed.
These wave reflections can then be analysed and presented in a visual form using specialised software to literally build a picture, or cross-profile, of objects – such as shipwrecks – under the surface.
“This technology was commercialised by Germany’s Innomar Technologie GmbH and is based on recommendations I received during an intensive marine geophysics course run by Flinders University’s Maritime Archaeology Department,” Dr Winton said.
“For my PhD, I tested this equipment under controlled in-situ conditions and demonstrated the SBP’s applicability and performance qualities for maritime archaeological applications.”
The Innomar technology can be used in depths of less than a metre to more than 10,000m, however the ‘narrow’ beam, which enables it to detect very small objects, limits its use as a primary search tool.
“Once a maritime archaeological site has been potentially identified by using other means, then the SBP can be used to map that site to reveal and document any shallow-buried or sedimentary features,” Dr Winton said.
The technology could also be applied to research and documenting Indigenous sites of interest.
“Inundated and buried Indigenous sites with large anthropogenic features, such as fish traps, shell middens etc can be surveyed and if present these features mapped and displayed as virtual images,” Dr Winton said.
“Alternatively, we want to investigate if paleolandscape features can be interpreted using 3-D visualisation techniques to identify possible habitation or occupation sites.”
The Winwell Foundation gratefully acknowledges assistance and technical input from a number of organisations who have provided field and laboratory support.
“In addition to the ongoing support from WAM, Acoustic Imaging Pty Ltd has and continues to provide SBP and satellite positioning survey equipment together with generous field and office support from its founder, Dr Doug Bergersen,” Dr Winton said.
“The local offices of C.R. Kennedy and Co. Pty Ltd and Fugro Satellite Positioning Pty Ltd provided RTK DGPS positioning equipment and Marinestar positioning solutions, respectively, for the initial James Matthews and controlled in-situ surveys.
“As well, the UWA Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems and National Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility supported ex-situ sediment density and grain size analyses.”
And the Foundation is still looking to expand its knowledge and supporter base.
“We’re looking for another director or advisor to the Trustee for the Winwell Foundation who has experience in the philanthropic sector and can provide advice on how we can raise funds for future project expenses – and we’re looking for like-minded research partners or interested parties to support or help fund research activities,” Dr Winton said.
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We support and comply with the principles of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001. We will communicate, share and publish research results in a responsible manner.
