ARCH8151 Coastal and Underwater Archaeology

2012

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly

1 Admission into GCCHM-Graduate Certificate in Cultural Heritage Management
1a Admission into GDPCHM-Graduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage Management
1b Admission into MCHM-Master of Cultural Heritage Management
1c Admission into GCARCH-Graduate Certificate in Archaeology
1d Admission into GDPARCH-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology
1e Admission into MARCH-Master of Archaeology
1f Admission into GCMA-Graduate Certificate in Maritime Archaeology
1g Admission into GDPMA-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Archaeology
1h Admission into MMA-Master of Maritime Archaeology
1i Admission into GDPSM-Graduate Diploma in Screen and Media Production
1j Admission into MSM-Master of Screen and Media Production
1k Admission into GCAHHS-Graduate Certificate in Applied History and Heritage Studies
1l Admission into GDPAHHS-Graduate Diploma in Applied History and Heritage Studies
1m Admission into MMARCH-Master of Maritime Archaeology
1n Admission into GDPAHM-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage Management
1o Admission into MAHM-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management
1p Admission into MAHMA-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management [1.5 years]
1q Admission into MSMA-Master of Screen and Media Production [1 year]
1r Admission into MSMI-Master of Screen and Media Production [1.5 years]
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j or 1k or 1l or 1m or 1n or 1o or 1p or 1q or 1r))

1 of ARCH3005, ARCH3208, ARCH8102 has been successfully completed

This topic provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the material aspects of archaeology in the underwater environment as well as in coastal settings. It will address seafaring from the earliest watercraft to shipwrecks of the 20th Century. Issues covered include evidence about Bronze Age trade, the changing technology of ship-building, the shipwreck as time capsule, submerged harbour works in the Mediterranean, underwater cultural resource management and maritime archaeological displays in museums. Archaeological evidence from all parts of the world over the past five thousand years will be used to examine subjects such as technological change, transportation, exploration, international trade, culture and seafaring sub-cultures.

SCUBA diving qualifications are not required for this topic.

The primary aim of the topic is to introduce students to the material aspects of archaeology in the underwater environment as well as in coastal and inter-tidal setting.

More specifically, the topic aims to:

• explore some of the ways that humans have interacted with and exploited coastal regions as well as rivers and lakes using archaeological evidence

• examine seafaring from the earliest watercraft to shipwrecks of the 20th Century

• examine the nature of archaeological evidence about:

  • the changing technology of ship-building

  • Bronze Age trade

  • submerged harbour works, drowned cities as well as issues like the shipwreck as time capsule

  • underwater cultural heritage management

  • underwater archaeological displays in museums

• through archaeological evidence and analysis, address issues such as:

  • technological change

  • transportation

  • exploration

  • international trade

  • culture and seafaring sub-cultures

On completing this topic students will be able to:

• demonstrate verbal presentation skills within a seminar context

• demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical approaches to archaeology underwater

• understand the history of the practice of underwater and coastal archaeology throughout the world

• demonstrate an appreciation of the place and role of maritime archaeology in the interpretation of maritime subcultures and culture in the wider context