Research

Magnetic Island, Queensland: Shipwreck Trails and Diver Education

Bradley L. Garrett, co-director of the ICAU has received funding through the PADI AWARE Foundation to begin a new project in North Queensland.   

This project aims to compliment an already existing but underutilized shipwreck trail on the island by documenting shipwreck dive sites around the island through underwater video. The video will not only advise divers on the best places to dive, but will encourage ethical, non-invasive diving in accordance with PADI AWARE guidelines and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority code of practice for diving. This project may become an important part of diver education and awareness in North Queensland, something that could be aired not only on the island, but in the two museums just across the water in Townsville.

The complete project proposal and budget can be found by clicking the link below.

[+]Magnetic Island, Queensland: Shipwreck Trails and Diver Education

Photo by Erika Stein

Symbiotic Relationships of Artificial Reefs

Erika Stein, has received PADI Aware funding for an ongoing project investigating the symbiotic relationships of artificial reefs (or ship and plane wrecks).

The aims of the project are to promote public awareness in maritime and underwater archaeology particularly by drawing attention to the marine habitat provided for the surrounding sea life by submerged cultural places through the means of a video documentary. The implications of this relationship might be explored further in utilizing environmental legislation to protect cultural places and vice versa. Varying points of view, including heritage values, are sought after to achieve a comprehensive exploration. Future goals of the project include a GIS component that would further engage an understanding of submerged places manifested as artificial reefs and the importance that brings to sea life and maritime communities and industries.

Photo by Brad Garrett

Commodification of Cultural Heritage

The ICAU recently ran across an article in National Geographic regarding the SS Republic, a civil war steamship off the coast of Georgia. It was excavated by a private salvage company who at this moment are in the process of selling US cultural heritage to the highest bidder on their website http://www.shipwreck.net.  The ICAU composed a contemptuous letter to NG, which they published in the January issue - along with a completely unacceptable response.  Essentially, National Geographic stated that only a salvage company who sells artefacts can afford such an expedition, as if the expedition were justified for this reason alone.  

The Centre has received the support of the Australasian Institute of Maritime archaeology, and the Advisory Council for Underwater Archaeology to contact National Geographic and explain that the maritime archaeological community does not support the commodification of national heritage.

The Centre is currently attempting to organize a session at the next Society for Historical Archaeology conference to discuss the matter in detail. A petition will be started at that time to bring public and professional voice to the awareness of National Geographic. Updates will be posted on this website.

To get involved, please contact the ICAU immediately.

[+]The Commodification of Cultural Heritage

Columbia River Historical Significance Study

Building upon the work of the US National Parks Service in the 1980's, the International Centre for Archaeology Underwater would like to propose a major project studying the affects of inundation on archaeological sites due to dam construction .

The project would have two goals. First, it would aim to establish precedence for site significance based on the UNESCO guidelines for cultural heritage, and discuss how this significance is affected by inundation. Secondly, the project would capture images of these places in digital format for viewing by those who have continuing associations with these sites.

For more information on this project, please click the link below.

[+] Columbia River Historical Significance Study

Photo by Daniel Dancer

Underwater Digital Media

Native Americans are reasserting their cultural identities through the application of digital media and the World Wide Web (WWW). This allows for interaction, not just description, between the Native raconteur, and the public participant.

Archaeology underwater is the perfect medium to explore this new vantage point.  Many submerged sites are today unknown to the public, who may hold a deeper inner connection to the submerged landscapes of North America that could be triggered by revealing the visual memory of these places. In other scenarios on continent, indigenous and non-indigenous people were forcibly removed from their land to make way for the constructions of modernity. With their cultural heritage and material history now underwater, many would look favorably upon the revelation of these landscapes.

This abstract proposes breaching this topic, and moving into a new realm of archaeo-film and public discourse. To read the entire abstract, please click below.

[+] Underwater Digital Media