Galle Harbour Maritime Archaeological Impact Assessment Report for Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology

Author/s R. Anderson, J.N. Green and C. Souter

Year of publication 2007

Report Number: 235

Background
Following discussions between the Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology (SLDA) and Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Museum (WAM), WAM was engaged as a consultant to undertake a maritime archaeological survey of Galle Harbour as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) process. The scope of the consultancy was to carry out a maritime archaeological survey, and provide a report to the SLDA outlining the impact of the proposed Galle port development on the underwater cultural heritage of Galle Harbour. The survey took place between 14 November and 2 December 2007.

WAM has been involved in maritime archaeological investigations in Galle Harbour since 1992. Previous work includes: remote sensing surveys, site inspections and excavation of shipwrecks. Remote sensing and diving search projects undertaken in 1992, 1993 and 1996 resulted in the location of a range of significant maritime heritage sites in the harbour including Arab-Indian stone anchors, the VOC wrecks of the Avondster (1659) and Hercules (1661) and 19th century iron steamship wrecks.

Due to advances since 1997 in position-fixing and remote sensing techniques, it was necessary to resurvey the proposed port development area to accurately position and identify possible sites to be impacted by the development. Existing GPS positions were only accurate to 200 m as a result of GPS Selective Availability (decommissioned in 2000). As part of the contractual agreement between WAM and the Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology, this report is to be submitted to the Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology by 17 December 2007.