WWW Maritime Archaeology Links
Maritime Archaeology is one section of the general field of archaeological study.
Archaeology is a form of study that uses multidisciplinary skills (historians, biologists, materials conservators, photographers, surveyors, geologists, technicians etc) to interpret meaning from the context (spatial and strategraphic layering) of cultural remains as well as from the form and substance of those remains.
It is associated with the study of ancient civilisations, or of civilisations from more recent historical times. Within the Australian environment, the broad areas of archaeological study consist of Aboriginal, historical, and maritime. Aboriginal sites can be 'pre-contact' or 'post contact' with European arrival a nd can be found above or below water. Historical archaeology refers to the 'post-contact' period and includes, domestic, commercial and industrial sites as well as most maritime sites.
The term Maritime Archaeology is used to refer not only to shipwreck sites in an ocean or coastal port environment but to all study of underwater archaeological remains. Sometimes the terms Nautical Archaeology or Underwater Archaeology may be used. Primarily the names refer to the medium in which the sites are predominantly found although shipwrecks out of water are still classified as maritime or nautical in nature.
Maritime archaeological sites can include shipwrecks, Aboriginal and historical cultural deposits associated with shoreline activities such as wharves or other structures that are underwater. The sites may represent civilisations that are ancient or modern.
While excavation is part of the skills of a professional maritime archaeologist, excavation permanently and irretrievably changes a site. If all shipwrecks were excavated, their aesthetic, recreational and habitat values would be lost. Excavation is usually limited to sites that have current potential to answer important research questions or which are under threat of destruction due to redevelopment proposals. Adequate resources must be available for controlled excavation, thorough registration and other documentation, conservation and site stabilisation as well as for storage, interpretation and dissemination of the outcomes of the excavation to the public.
Much of the work of maritime archaeologists is not related to excavation but involves surveying maritime sites, assessing archaeological potential, making management recommendations and in interpreting the sites to the wider community.
The study of archaeological sites is a way to provide a vivid encounter with our history. It deals with real objects and real places. It relates to real people and their everyday lives - and includes evidence of both the mundane as well as the exceptional.