The Common Cultural Connections (CCC’s) project has been co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The project is being led by the Maritime Archaeology Trust (MAT) in the UK, alongside the CReAAH UM6566-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France and the IIIPC-University of Cantabria in Spain. The aim of the project is to enhance understanding of the shared cultural heritage of the three European partner regions through an innovative mobile exhibition.

The project has reached new audiences improving access to cultural heritage and providing greater opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to become involved, learning about their heritage and encouraging a sense of place and belonging through an understanding of our shared past. Moreover, it has built links between schools and groups of the three partner countries to continue to learn and exchange information about our shared cultural heritage through the etwinning platform which enables teachers to connect, develop collabroative projects and share ideas in Europe.

The project focused on an under-represented aspect of our shared heritage: archaeological evidence from coastal and marine sites. Our coastlines and waters are rich in sites of national and international interest, from unique submerged landscapes providing evidence from a time when the UK and Europe were linked, to shipwrecks, harbours and ports containing evidence of trade and networks between the partner countries. Due to their nature, however, such sites can often be overlooked as ‘out of sight, out of mind’. The project has worked to raise the profile of this unique and finite resource, encouraging people to become involved in their cultural heritage.