READ Nautical Archaeology Society, 19 College More About It! Rd., HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3LJ, United Kingdom Dean, Martin, et al. 1995. Archaeology Un- Save Ontario Shipwrecks, 2175 Sheppard derwater: The NAS Guide to Principles and Ave. East, Suite 110, Willowdale, ON Practice. Nautical Archaeology Society, M2J 1W8, Canada Dorchester. Underwater Archaeological Society of Brit- Green, Jeremy. 1990. Maritime Archaeology: ish Columbia, Vancouver Maritime Mu- A Technical Handbook. Academic Press, seum, 1905 Ogden St., Vancouver, BC San Diego, CA. V6J 1A3, Canada The International Journal of Nautical Ar- chaeology. Journal of the Nautical Ar- Credits chaeology Society, published quarterly Cover: Archaeologist mapping wreck site, Biscayne National from 1972. Park. (National Park Service photo by John Brooks, Sub- Macaulay, David. 1993. Ship. Houghton merged Cultural Resources Unit.) Archaeologist inspecting a wreck, Yellowstone National Park. Mifflin, Boston, MA. (National Park Service photo by Brett Seymour, Submerged Muckelroy, Keith. 1980. Archaeology Un- Cultural Resources Unit.) Archaeologist making detailed drawing of schooner Lucerne. (State der Water: Atlas of the World’s Submerged Historical Society of Wisconsin photo by David Cooper.) Sites. McGraw-Hill, NY. Gradiometer survey boat used during the search for the caravel Underwater Archaeology. Published annu- Gallega, lost in Río Belén, Panama, 1502. (Ships of Discovery.) Drawing of a bronze four-pounder cannon from La Belle, ally by The Society for Historical Ar- lost in Matagorda Bay, Texas in 1686. (D. H. Keith, Ships chaeology. of Discovery.) Cleaning a bronze four-pounder cannon from La Belle (1686) in the Ships of Discovery conservation laboratory. (Ron Randolph, Ships of Discovery.) Organizations Australian Institute for Maritime Archae- ology, Western Australia Maritime Mu- Copying of this brochure is permitted. seum, Cliff Street, Fremantle, WA For additional information on historical 6160, Australia and underwater archaeology or to obtain Département des Recherches Archéologiques more copies of the brochure, contact: Subaquatiques et Sous-Marines, Ministère de la Culture, direction du Patrimoine, Fort Saint-Jean, 13235 Marseille, Cedex 2, France Maritime Archaeological and Historical So- ciety, PO Box 44382, L’Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC 20026 USA UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY lochs; the Pandora (1791) in Australia; the HOW TO Around the World British warship Mary Rose (1545) in Ports- Get Involved mouth, England; the Swedish warship Underwater projects range from the ex- Kronan (1676) in the Baltic Sea; and a Underwater archaeologists are typically ploration of 19th-century shipwrecks be- 14th-century B.C. shipwreck in Turkey. employed by government agencies, mu- low the ice of Canada’s Arctic Ocean to seums, universities, and private consult- surveys of artificial islands in Polynesian ing firms. As an exciting career for talented, Ponape, and from inundated springs in ARCHAEOLOGICAL motivated individuals with a great love for Florida containing some of the oldest Conservation studying and preserving the past, outdoor physical remains of humans in the New activity, and travel, underwater archaeol- World to Bronze Age lake dwellings in Underwater archaeology does not al- ogy requires individuals with technical the Swiss Alps. Because most of the earth’s ways involve excavation, but when abilities such as scientific writing, draft- surface is covered in water, and the un- material is removed for detailed study, ing, conservation, photography, electron- derwater world until recently has been laboratory facilities to preserve the ar- ics, remote-sensing, diving, vessel opera- largely inaccessible, the underwater ar- tifacts are essential. The miraculously tions, and chemistry. Opportunities for chaeological repository is vast. well-preserved condition of objects re- full-time career employment may be lim- covered from underwater sites is more ited, but participation in professional and Some current research includes La Salle’s apparent than real. avocational organizations offers additional ship La Belle (1686) in Texas; a flooded occasions for selective involvement. Con- cave in the Dominican Republic contain- During lengthy immersion, artifacts re- ferences and meetings, such as the annual ing pre-Columbian artifacts; the Emanuel act chemically with the water and sedi- SHA Conference on Historical and Un- Point shipwreck (1564) in Florida; the re- ments surrounding them. Sudden re- derwater Archaeology, provide profession- mains of prehistoric dwellings in Scottish moval from their watery environment als, avocational archaeologists, and stu- and exposure to air can set off a chain of chemical and physical reactions in the objects which could lead to their destruction. Conservators are specialists who work with archaeologists to preserve artifacts for study and display. The conservation of objects takes much longer than their actual excavation, and the long-term care of a collection of excavated objects is expensive and time-consuming. Un- less proper facilities and resources are available, it is often best to leave objects in their underwater environment. Con- servators also work with archaeologists and site managers to monitor the con- dition of sites and artifacts left in place to preserve them for future generations.
dents with a forum for presenting research by scientists and enjoyed by the public in sequential” souvenirs such as potsherds, results, communicating with colleagues, perpetuity. All people, not just a select few, ballast stones, and nails will eventually meeting new people, and learning about benefit from preservation. The study and leave a site barren of both scientific in- new findings and technology. enjoyment of archaeological resources for formation and recreational interest. science, tourism, recreation, and educa- Additional opportunities may be found in tion not only preserves sites but benefits the many organizations that train and lead the economy over a long period of time. UNDERWATER volunteers and avocational archaeologists. ARCHAEOLOGICAL Working under the supervision of archaeo- Organizations logical professionals, volunteers participate in nearly every facet of archaeology: archi- Many avenues lead into underwater ar- val research, field survey and excavation, chaeology. For career training, obtain the boat handling, diving, laboratory work, SHA publication Guide to Graduate Pro- project planning, logistics, and fundraising. grams in Historical and Underwater Ar- chaeology. Contact your state/provincial PRESERVING A archaeology department or your local li- brary or check out A Guide to Underwa- Threatened Resource ter Archaeology Resources on the Internet WHAT Through archaeological investigation, a at: