Abstract
The Newport Ship is the most substantial late medieval vessel excavated and recovered in Britain in recent years. It was abandoned after extensive salvage, possibly following attempts at repairs to the hull. More than 23-m of the clinker‐built ship were recovered, along with significant artefact and environmental assemblages. Finds point to strong Iberian connections during the active life of the ship, which arrived in Newport in the Severn Estuary, after the spring of AD 1468. The dismantling and recovery of the ship has enabled detailed recording using innovative 3D digital techniques and approaches to hypothetical reconstruction. Publication includes a digital archive hosted by the Archaeological Data Service, a substantial report and this article.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful for significant financial support for the Newport Medieval Ship Project from a wide range of organizations including Newport City Council—Newport Museum and Heritage Service, Welsh Government through Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, the Friends of the Newport Ship and the Heritage Lottery Fund. CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales supported the digital reconstruction of the ship through grant 2012‐m‐027‐023. Marie Curie grant PIEF‐GA‐2009‐253942—AMPT: Ancient Maritime Pitch and Tar: a multi‐disciplinary study of sources, technology and preservation funded the extensive study of tars from the ship. Research was supported by Arts and Humanities Research Council Grants AH/G000905/1 ShipShape, AH/J500794/1 ShipShape 3D Communities, and AH/J007846/1 The Newport Medieval Ship: Publication, Representation and Dissemination. Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales grants 11/302 and 11/404 funded metallurgical analysis and illustration. Additional grants were provided by the Headley Trust, Cambrian Archaeological Association, the Tools and Trades History Society and the Welsh Church Fund. The continued support of National Museum Wales and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also acknowledged. The Newport Ship Project has employed a large number of archaeologists, conservators and specialists during the excavation, post‐excavation research and conservation phases; the authors are grateful for all their efforts. We are also grateful for the helpful comments of one anonymous reviewer and Alexandra Grille which have helped to improve the article.