Waterfront Archaeology in Britain and Northern Europe

A review of current research in waterfront archaeology in six European countries, based on the papers presented to the First International Conference on Waterfront Archaeology in North European Towns held at the Museum of London on 20-22 April 1979.

Almost any definition of a town must refer to the importance of trade, but archaeologists have only recently attempted to study the development of riparian and coastal towns by examining the major trade outlet itself, the waterfront. Such a study can provide graphic evidence of and suggest reasons for a town's origins, growth, or decline. In order to stimulate interest in waterfront archaeology by reviewing its potential, by assessing the current state of knowledge, and by improving the contact between urban and nautical archaeologists in Britain and on the Continent, a conference was held in London on 20-22 April 1979. It was jointly organized by the Museum of London, the Council for British Archaeology, and the Nautical Archaeology Trust.