Langstone Harbour changing coastlines project

Project summary

This project will investigate the archaeological landscapes of Langstone Harbour using advanced, non-invasive survey techniques to better understand how coastal change is affecting this nationally significant heritage resource. Combining high-resolution marine geophysical survey, remote sensing and intertidal recording, the research will reassess known archaeological sites, identify previously unrecorded features beneath the seabed and mudflats, and create a comprehensive baseline dataset for monitoring future change. By comparing new evidence with surveys undertaken since the 1990s, the project will provide valuable insights into how erosion, shifting sediments and rising sea levels are reshaping the harbour’s archaeological record.

The findings will support more effective management of vulnerable coastal heritage by identifying sites at greatest risk and informing future conservation and monitoring strategies. The project will also strengthen the application of heritage science to dynamic coastal environments, enhance research capacity through collaboration with the University of Southampton and the Maritime Archaeology Trust, and increase public understanding of how past communities adapted to changing coastlines and why this heritage remains relevant in the face of contemporary climate change.