TWO Cirencester college students have been selected to be scholars in one of the biggest archaeological projects that will reach into the depths of the Black Sea.

First-year students Amy Wakeman and Thomas Davis will be taking part in the Black Sea STEM project run in association with Southampton University.

The project is one of the biggest archaeological maritime research projects with teams based in the UK and on a research vessel in The Black Sea, based off Bulgaria.

The Black Sea is considered to be one of the world’s finest underwater laboratories due to the un-oxygenated layer which preserves artefacts better than other marine environments.

The seabed will be investigated through the use of sonar and deep sea diving Remotely Operated Vehicles, potentially revealing intact shipwrecks and ancient settlements.

Amy and Thomas are among 16 Black Sea STEM scholars who were selected and who received training at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.

The application process involved making a personal statement, writing a 2000-word research essay and going though a regional selection day in Cardiff.

Aspiring medic Amy, who is studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths, will be working on the research vessel based off Bulgaria.

Amy will be travelling to Bulgaria during the first week of September. Her project will include making an educational video using her self-built drone.

Tom, who is studying Applied Science, Biology, Physics and Maths and who hopes to study geophysics in university, will be based with the research team in the UK.

Once the team have returned from Bulgaria, part of Tom’s role will be to evaluate the core samples that have been brought back from the depths of the Black Sea.

Amy said: “The research material will help with our future science goals, we are both hoping to achieve the CREST Gold Award in Science.”

Tom added: "It has been a long application process but now we have had our training and met the others we are really excited and cannot wait to start!”

The CREST Gold Award will involve a further 70 hours work after the Black Sea project has been completed, during which the students will evaluate all of their research work, prepare a final report and present the outcome of their project.