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Dive & Dig

Dive & Dig

By: Honor Frost Foundation
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About this listen

 Welcome to Dive & Dig presented by Bettany Hughes and Dr Lucy Blue, the podcast that takes you on an underwater journey deeper than you might ever have imagined! We'll take you down into an undiscovered world of our ancient past thanks to the technology which makes deep diving possible today. And we'll show you some amazing archaeological discoveries when we get there.

Honor Frost Foundation 2022 618298 Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary World
Episodes
  • S5 Ep2: The Shipwreck Seeker: AI and Maritime Archaeology

    S5 Ep2: The Shipwreck Seeker: AI and Maritime Archaeology
    Aug 7 2025
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is solving complex problems across a host of disciplines, here Professor Lucy Blue asks Dr Alexandra Karamitrou, Lecturer in Archaeology and AI, University of Southampton to outline its use in maritime archaeology. Alexandra explains how AI models can analyse multiple datasets, such as geophysical data and satellite imagery to identify potential shipwreck locations by recognising patterns associated with submerged features. Applications are many, including processing imagery to identify Crannogs, WWI and WWII wrecks, and offshore structures like oil rigs – crucial for the protection of the ocean environment as leakages of harmful substances can occur from ageing wrecks and rigs. Hear Alexandra’s views on how to ethically use AI and produce a more holistic picture of what our oceans comprise. Can you believe there are three million shipwrecks to be identified and recorded?
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    19 mins
  • S5 Ep1: The Monoxylon Expeditions: Neolithic Boat Voyages

    S5 Ep1: The Monoxylon Expeditions: Neolithic Boat Voyages
    Jun 18 2025
    At the 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS) held in Ioannina, Greece, Professor Lucy Blue spoke with Radomír Tichý from the University of Hradec Králové, Max Šámal (Charles University of Prague) and Aleš Panáček (Archaeopark Všestary) about a series of expeditions called “Monoxylon”. Hear how a team of Czech experimental archaeologists successfully reconstructed and navigated a replica of an 8,000-year-old Neolithic logboat discovered with five other boats at La Marmotta, a submerged lakeshore settlement beneath Lake Bracciano near Rome. Based on the largest, made from an oak trunk measuring over 10 metres in length, it featured transverse reinforcements for hull stability. Additional objects discovered suggest the use of sails and the presence of obsidian tools from Milos, support the idea that these boats facilitated long distance trade and travel. The series of expeditions tested the seaworthiness of these ancient designs. Monoxylon IV was paddled by twenty-one crewmembers over 500 kilometres across the Aegean from the island of Samos to the Peloponnese demonstrating that Neolithic communities possessed not only the craftsmanship to fashion such sophisticated vessels, but also the navigational skills to undertake such maritime journeys. The voyages provided practical insights into early human migration, trade routes, and the spread of agricultural practices across the Mediterranean with a profound human story at the heart.

    For more information on this project visit the website (https://www.monoxylon.cz/en/), watch the teaser trailer for the upcoming documentary movie (https://youtu.be/6FkAuzf759U?feature=shared) and visit the project YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/…524)
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    26 mins
  • S4 Ep4: Climate Change & Maritime Cultural Heritage: Wisdom and Hope

    S4 Ep4: Climate Change & Maritime Cultural Heritage: Wisdom and Hope
    Apr 30 2025
    In the last of a series on coastal archaeological sites and climate change, Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Dr Alex Kent, Coastal Connections Lead, a global partnership between English Heritage and World Monuments Fund. Learn how Hurst Castle, a coastal fort built on England’s southern coast is falling into the sea due to undercutting of the shingle due to storm surges and, like hundred of other sites globally, is suffering from the impacts of climate change. By bringing together communities around the world that face similar issues, hear how Coastal Connections network aims to share common challenges and a range of solutions, including nature based ones and innovative regional ones. Aided by a series of online workshops and discussions, it became clear that there are many similarities faced by sites around the world. Alex maps out the goals of Coastal Connections, including site information sheets, creating a worldwide network of coastal site managers and practionners sharing and showcasing solutions, as well as training hubs to equip across generations practical skills to sustainably manage heritage sites.

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    20 mins
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