About SWMAG
The South West Maritime Archaeological Group – SWMAG – is a team of avocational divers with a passion for History from the Sea.
Over the last 15 years SWMAG has worked on the Salcombe Cannon Site following the initial discovery of gold coins and ingots in 1995. The site has since yielded the largest collection of 16C & 17C Morrocan gold in Europe and Bronze Age artefacts from the Penard period.
Prior to the Salcombe Cannon Site SWMAG discovered and worked on the Erme Estuary Tin Ingot site, the ingots also dating from the Bronze Age. In 1993 the team were awarded The Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for the British Sub-Aqua Club in recognition of their archaeological work and the historical importance of the site. SWMAG donated the ingots to Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum in July 2002.
“SWMAG demonstrate that recreational divers can work responsibly with great success in maritime archaeology in the UK. Through their work on the Salcombe Cannon Site they have set the standard that all other groups should aim for.”
Mark Beattie-Edwards
the Nautical Archaeology Society
Although the team members are neither professional divers nor archaeologists (with the exception of the nominated archaeologist), SWMAG work to exceptionally high standards both on and off site and are regarded by many as demonstrating how avocational groups can work successfully within the legislative framework to the benefit of all. Site management is carried out in accordance with the annual licence granted by DCMS on advice from English Heritage and ACHWS, all artefacts are declared to the Receiver of Wreck, and the assemblage of artefacts from the Salcombe Cannon Site, both 17C and Bronze Age, is with the British Museum. Site work is conducted in accordance with NAS guidelines and all members of the team are qualified to NAS Part 2 as a minimum.
SWMAG is funded primarily by the team. From time to time an award is made by the British Museum on acquiring artefacts and grants are received; monies from theses and any other sources go directly into continuing our work.
SWMAG Logo
The inspiration for the SWMAG Logo comes from the seal matrix found on the Salcombe Cannon Site. This has the letter M with the letter R on one stem and a horizontal bar on the other; it is not clear if this represents the letter T or a cross. Nestled in the arms of the M is a diamond. Bear in mind that in wax the seal will be a mirror of the image seen here, and of course we might be looking at it the wrong way up!!. The seal has a brass handle, which for the time, circa 1635, indicates wealth and therefore belonged someone of importance.
Seal Matrix from the
Salcombe Cannon Site
SWMAG Logo
Knowing who used the seal would help enormously in identifying the wreck, but at the time of writing the owner of the seal has not been identified despite extensive research in the UK and Europe. If you have any idea on who the seal belongs to or how we might might find out, please contact us.