Our ethos is simple: to promote understanding and enjoyment of maritime heritage in an ever changing world.
We believe that this can only be achieved by building strong partnerships with other heritage and marine organisations to together monitor and raise awareness of sites of archaeological significance.
The Maritime Archaeology Trust engages some of the best researchers and academics in marine archaeology which is why we currently lead, contribute to, and work in partnership on projects with a range of UK and EU organisations and funding bodies.
The Maritime Archaeology Trust is a registered charity (no. 90002510).
MAT Objectives:
Investigate: maritime, coastal and underwater archaeology.
Engage: people, communities and schools through involvement, enjoyment and education.
Promote: hard to reach and inaccessible maritime heritage.
Protect: through supporting heritage management for current and future generations.
Awards and Accreditations
MAT is a Registered Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and is Accredited to the Governing Bodies of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage as of 2015.
2006 British Archaeological Award Runner up
2011 Europa Nostra Award
2013 Daniel G Roberts award
2019 Shortlisted for Maritime Heritage Foundation Maritime Media Award
AIM membership for the Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum
1991
The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology is founded.
1996
Refurbishment of Sunken Secrets exhibition at Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight.
1998
Worked flints found at Bouldnor Cliff.
2015
The MAT becomes a UNESCO Accredited NGO.
2010
The Discovery Bus is launched.
2012
The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology uses its alternative name of Maritime Archaeology Trust.
2017
The MAT takes over management of the Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum, Isle of Wight.
2021
MAT will celebrate 30 years of protecting and promoting maritime heritage.