Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ENDURE (Sustainable preservation of underwater archaeological sites: A novel approach to cultural heritage management)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2025-03-31
Across Europe and beyond, vast traces of our shared history, such as shipwrecks and submerged settlements, lie hidden beneath the sea. These underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites offer crucial insights into past societies, trade, and maritime traditions. Yet, they face growing threats from climate change, coastal development, and seabed exploitation. Current policy supports in situ preservation—leaving sites undisturbed on the seabed—but this is increasingly questioned. We lack essential knowledge about how UCH deteriorates under environmental and human pressures. Without better understanding, we risk losing irreplaceable heritage. The ENDURE project addresses this by developing a new science-based framework to assess, model, and manage UCH preservation. It unites archaeology, marine science, modelling, conservation, and social sciences to investigate both the physical decay and the cultural values tied to UCH. Importantly, ENDURE recognises heritage as both material and cultural. It integrates social sciences and humanities to explore how identity, memory, and public values influence preservation. New models incorporate stakeholder views and sociocultural data, supported by partnerships with museums including Costa Rica’s National Museum and Denmark’s Sea War Museum.
By combining scientific and cultural perspectives, ENDURE will guide more sustainable and context-sensitive decisions about what to preserve, when, and how—helping ensure that underwater heritage remains part of our future as well as our past.
By combining scientific and cultural perspectives, ENDURE will guide more sustainable and context-sensitive decisions about what to preserve, when, and how—helping ensure that underwater heritage remains part of our future as well as our past.
In its first phase, ENDURE has made strong progress across four research areas.
Remote sensing and legacy data: Over 500 shipwrecks in the North and Baltic Seas were mapped using multibeam sonar and environmental data. Regression and multi-criteria modelling identified key factors influencing decay and mapped preservation potential, highlighting areas such as the Baltic and Norwegian Trench. This research produced a high-impact journal article and two book chapters.
Decay processes: Fieldwork at three Baltic wreck sites gathered environmental and structural data. Despite some delays, new field campaigns are scheduled for 2025. In the lab, respirometry experiments and finite element modelling are underway. A clean lab is now operational, with DNA extraction and sequencing in progress.
Modelling and sociocultural values: Computational models are being developed to simulate how decay evolves under natural and human drivers. Sociocultural factors are being incorporated into these models, broadening their relevance. New partnerships, such as with the Sea War Museum, support this interdisciplinary approach. Recruitment for new modelling and biodiversity researchers is planned for late 2025.
Mitigation strategies: Trials for seagrass replanting and alternative protective materials are being prepared, aiming to reduce erosion and enhance seabed stability. A Proof-of-Concept grant is in preparation to scale these approaches.
To date, ENDURE has delivered predictive models, established lab infrastructure, enabled decay analysis and DNA sequencing, and fostered international collaborations—laying a strong foundation for future impact.
Remote sensing and legacy data: Over 500 shipwrecks in the North and Baltic Seas were mapped using multibeam sonar and environmental data. Regression and multi-criteria modelling identified key factors influencing decay and mapped preservation potential, highlighting areas such as the Baltic and Norwegian Trench. This research produced a high-impact journal article and two book chapters.
Decay processes: Fieldwork at three Baltic wreck sites gathered environmental and structural data. Despite some delays, new field campaigns are scheduled for 2025. In the lab, respirometry experiments and finite element modelling are underway. A clean lab is now operational, with DNA extraction and sequencing in progress.
Modelling and sociocultural values: Computational models are being developed to simulate how decay evolves under natural and human drivers. Sociocultural factors are being incorporated into these models, broadening their relevance. New partnerships, such as with the Sea War Museum, support this interdisciplinary approach. Recruitment for new modelling and biodiversity researchers is planned for late 2025.
Mitigation strategies: Trials for seagrass replanting and alternative protective materials are being prepared, aiming to reduce erosion and enhance seabed stability. A Proof-of-Concept grant is in preparation to scale these approaches.
To date, ENDURE has delivered predictive models, established lab infrastructure, enabled decay analysis and DNA sequencing, and fostered international collaborations—laying a strong foundation for future impact.
ENDURE is pushing the boundaries of underwater heritage science through innovation and collaboration.
Technical breakthroughs include:
A published large-scale model predicting preservation potential using remote sensing and GIS.
Controlled decay experiments using respirometry and material modelling.
Molecular analysis of decaying heritage materials via DNA extraction and microbial profiling.
These methods provide new ways to assess the condition and risks facing submerged sites—tools that are scalable, transferable, and policy-relevant.
Collaborative impact is also strong. ENDURE works with other ERC projects like SUBNORDICA and 4-OCEANS and contributes to global initiatives such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science. Talks with EDITO aim to embed UCH into ocean digital twin frameworks and marine spatial planning.
Societal relevance is evident in partnerships with the UK Ministry of Defence and the Tangaroa project to assess pollution risks from military wrecks. The project also aligns with climate goals through nature-based mitigation like seagrass planting, which supports carbon sequestration and habitat restoration.
Key Achievements and Next Steps
ENDURE’s major results so far include:
A published UCH preservation model
New lab infrastructure for decay and DNA research
Looking ahead, the project will focus on:
Pilot mitigation methods aligned with sustainability goals
Demonstration-scale testing of mitigation strategies
Advanced modelling tools integrating sociocultural data
Enhanced sequencing and bioinformatics access
Strengthened collaboration across sectors
Supporting policy and regulatory frameworks for UCH management
ENDURE is establishing a robust, interdisciplinary platform to protect underwater heritage in a changing world—advancing research, informing policy, and shaping the future of marine cultural heritage.
Technical breakthroughs include:
A published large-scale model predicting preservation potential using remote sensing and GIS.
Controlled decay experiments using respirometry and material modelling.
Molecular analysis of decaying heritage materials via DNA extraction and microbial profiling.
These methods provide new ways to assess the condition and risks facing submerged sites—tools that are scalable, transferable, and policy-relevant.
Collaborative impact is also strong. ENDURE works with other ERC projects like SUBNORDICA and 4-OCEANS and contributes to global initiatives such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science. Talks with EDITO aim to embed UCH into ocean digital twin frameworks and marine spatial planning.
Societal relevance is evident in partnerships with the UK Ministry of Defence and the Tangaroa project to assess pollution risks from military wrecks. The project also aligns with climate goals through nature-based mitigation like seagrass planting, which supports carbon sequestration and habitat restoration.
Key Achievements and Next Steps
ENDURE’s major results so far include:
A published UCH preservation model
New lab infrastructure for decay and DNA research
Looking ahead, the project will focus on:
Pilot mitigation methods aligned with sustainability goals
Demonstration-scale testing of mitigation strategies
Advanced modelling tools integrating sociocultural data
Enhanced sequencing and bioinformatics access
Strengthened collaboration across sectors
Supporting policy and regulatory frameworks for UCH management
ENDURE is establishing a robust, interdisciplinary platform to protect underwater heritage in a changing world—advancing research, informing policy, and shaping the future of marine cultural heritage.