Biodeterioration dynamics of marine wreck-sites determine the need for their in situ protection

The condition of a wooden shipwreck varies considerably according to the nature of the site environment. Each marine site exhibits a unique biodeteriogenic potential influenced by prevailing hydrographic factors. The potential rate of degradation of organic archaeological material can be determined by monitoring the diversity and activity of marine organisms and is important in determining if in situ protection is required. To illustrate the deteriogenic potential of marine archaeological sites a cold water site (Langstone Harbour, UK) was compared with a warm water site (Zakynthos, Greece). The warm water site supported a greater diversity and activity of wood-boring crustaceans and molluscs than the cold water site. However, although the mycodiversity at the two sites was different the deteriogenic potential was similar. These results indicated that warm water sites are more hazardous and in situ protection is required during and after excavation.