From the moment everything disappears beneath the surface, the remains become a "sealed chest" of memories from the past that remain almost intact in their original state.
For those who practise diving and are passionate about history, such wrecks present themselves as real physical spaces belonging to the past that resurface after many years offering valuable information to decipher.
Do remains need to be very old to have archaeological value?
An archaeological remnant doesn't necessarily have to be an ancient object. Current legislation considers any historical remains as archaeologically valuable regardless of their antiquity.
What is a wreck?
A wreck is any submerged means of transport underwater, even partially or just regarding its cargo. Thus, when speaking of wrecks, one must bear in mind that a cannon, the remains of a galleon, an old locomotive sunk in a lake, etc. are all included in this definition.
Generally, a wreck is submerged remains. Submerged remains by human manipulation that lie underwater, so this category also includes sunken buildings, isolated objects or remains of port structures.
Recreational diving around wrecks and other submerged remains can only be practised where permitted by law. Regarding historically valuable remains, protective measures are stricter and access may be restricted. Just remember that diving is prohibited in many areas of Greece or Turkey. When for scientific, political or economic reasons certain remains need to be studied, the methodology applied to terrestrial archaeology can be used, adapted to the aquatic environment.
Underwater archaeology isn't just about shipwrecks
The field of underwater archaeology isn't limited to shipwrecks or their cargo. Its scope covers everything susceptible to study that lies submerged underwater. Each case will require specific techniques. Obviously, studying the remains of a Greek-era wreck at 40 metres depth in the Mediterranean isn't the same as submerging to study and uncover a Neolithic village submerged in the shallow waters of an Alpine lake.
What does underwater archaeology involve?
"Practising underwater archaeology" doesn't mean, as many believe, arbitrarily collecting objects found underwater and storing them in museum deposits. Underwater archaeology is an additional tool for understanding history, allowing investigation of traces left by humans on submerged seabeds. This way, information is obtained to help answer questions that history has always studied.
An underwater archaeologist is like a detective. Through scientific interpretation of the distribution of remains at a site, one can deduce the vessel's direction at the time of wrecking, how cargo was distributed onboard, and even what caused its sinking.
By deepening the investigation, one can determine the wreck's era, the crew's diet, ports of origin, stopovers and destinations during the voyage, and reasons why the ship embarked on its final journey. From here, these seemingly simple and unspectacular data can be compared with similar sites and land-based investigations chronologically related for other reasons. Gradually, history's jigsaw puzzle comes together.
Hence the importance of not altering objects' original positions underwater. It's crucial to understand that archaeological remains removed from their original context lose all their informative value for archaeologists. Besides breaking the law, we're destroying data that may be essential during future site investigations.
A collective effort
Underwater archaeology requires the collaboration of many professionals and enthusiasts. Equally important is the work of divers and fishermen who report wreck locations, as well as geologists and surveyors who map the area.
Photographers, cinematographers, chemists, mechanics and sailors, along with other specialists, are indispensable to ensure the complete investigation process of a site. An entire multidisciplinary team working to enrich our knowledge of human use of seas and lakes through the centuries.
Can I put a bronze cannon in my living room?
Probably many divers' dream, but...mind the law! All countries have specific legislation regarding their heritage and, particularly, submerged assets. There are international agreements through which many states actively commit to protecting underwater cultural heritage, with extensive legislation in this regard.
In some countries, investigation and potential recovery of submerged objects occurs through financial agreements between the state and private investors, like in the United States. Others strictly limit access to historical sites, like Greece. In many cases, commercial criteria outweigh scientific ones.
The worst thing that could happen to a diver? A country lacking clear legislation. In such cases, law enforcement and interpretation can be so arbitrary that penalties might be disproportionately severe compared to the diver's alleged offence.
