In this article, which reviews the official report of the European Communities’ ARCHIMEDES 1 experiment, the main objectives and methods of experimentation used in the experiment are described. This experiment was intended to carry out an exhaustive test of microwave equipment (both passive and active), together with ancillary instruments, for the detecting and measuring of oil slicks at sea. The performance of the various instruments, in terms of the minimum thickness of a slick for that slick to be capable of being detected, was determined. Comparisons have been made of the performances of the various systems and certain general conclusions about their performances were obtained. Recommendations for any future campaign were also produced.