The Pros And Cons Of Underwater Archaeology

Underwater archaeology is interpreting and explaining the physical remains of the human past in, or related to, an aquatic environment (Bowens 2009:2-6). In underwater archaeology, sites can include coastal settlements, defensive forts, freshwater sources, fishing-related activities, navigational aids, anchorages, harbors, ports, shipbuilding sites, shipwrecks, and survivor camps. While this is a relatively new field of study within archaeology, it is advancing quickly as technology improves. However, what many underwater sites have been subjected to is treasure hunting, looting, and salvaging, especially of shipwrecks, which ultimately has a negative impact on the archaeological record. To combat this, countries can use Cultural Resource Management …show more content…
Archaeology involves the need to properly preserve and record details about the past, not to sort through it for ultimate personal or commercial aims as in salvaging or treasure-hunting. In some countries, treasure-hunting is officially allowed, and some treasure-hunting companies do attempt to use proper archaeological techniques, but their ultimate goal is not to obtain information and knowledge about the stuff but instead the stuff itself. Less developed countries often make deals with treasure-hunters and salvagers in order to have some financial gain, so underwater archaeologists may encounter these people often. The goals of underwater archaeology are to lean more toward excavating only when there are scientific objectives as well as adequate funding, professional staff, and resources to properly conserve and document their findings. In addition, it is important to involve the public, and share the results of research with them through museum exhibitions, the media, and publications (Bowens …show more content…
However, once artifacts are removed, especially from salt versus fresh water, they must be immediately stabilized because they can quickly deteriorate. A main difference with underwater is that archaeologists must also be proficient scuba divers and know how to use the specific underwater tools (Adovasio and Hemmings 2013). An advantage of underwater archaeology versus excavating on land is that “[archaeologists] can float over the site and move in very close to any part of [the] excavation without actually ever touching it” (Adovasio and Hemmings 2013). Materials on land sites may reflect changes and processes over time, so it may be difficult to pinpoint what was happening at a specific time. Instead it would be helpful to have a time-capsule, or something that will freeze a picture of a moment in time such as a rapid burial. This can occur in water by sinking, which has actually occurred a lot mostly to ships but also occasionally towns. However, this does not necessarily mean all underwater sites are contained and not dispersed (Bowens 2009:17). What can affect archaeological evidence underwater is scouring (cleaning of the surface), silt coverings, collapse, salvage, disturbance by trawling, burrowing organisms, looting, etc. (Bowens 2009:24).

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