Traces of this activity include wrecks, single finds and submerged structures, together with historic ports, harbour structures, industrial sites and coastal defences.

In 1998 the Dorset Coast Forum published a Topic Paper on coastal and maritime archaeology which outlined the issues relating to the subject. The Dorset Coast Forum also set up the Archaeology Working Group with the aim of co ordinating and encouraging archaeological work along the coast. This established the Maritime Archaeological Record, a database of all known or potential archaeological sites off the coast.

Links have been forged with other groups such as the Nautical Archaeological Society which has led to joint projects like Diving with a Purpose, and the various WreckMap projects which have taken place off Studland and Portland.

Currently work is overseen by the Dorset Coast Forum Archaeology Group supported by the Nautical Archaeological Society and chaired by Weymouth Museum.

• Maritime archaeological research

  Over the past few years a great deal of research work has been carried out on Dorset's maritime archaeology. The results of some of this research is presented here.

• Single finds

  A single find is an object, or small group of objects, discovered below high water mark and not currently associated with any wreck or structure

• Structures

  A structure is defined as any man made feature or archaeological site that is now to be found on the beach, or below high water mark.

• Submerged landscapes

  A submerged landscape exists where an ancient land surface can be found preserved underwater. This includes submerged forests and ancient peat beds. These land surfaces often contain invaluable evidence of past climatic conditions.

• Wrecks

  A wreck is defined as the remains of any vessel, ship, submarine, aircraft, amphibious tank or any other means of crossing water, now to be found on the beach, or below high water mark, or who's existence may be inferred from earlier records.