Marine archaeology is a subject that deals with the remains of human history that lie on or beneath the sea bed, along shorelines, and in lake beds.  

Humans have been traveling waterways for centuries, and the remains of their activity that have been left behind on the floors of oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers provide valuable insight into the past.

It is an inter-disciplinary profession that includes expertise from archaeology, marine earth sciences, diving and navigation. During his/her investigations under water, a marine archaeologist has to be aware of the dangers of damaging the remains s/he is studying, and the delicate marine environments that surround them. S/he must be aware of approaches from predator marine animals, such as sharks, as well as problems with sudden water currents, submarine landslides, earthquakes and volcanoes.

Natural occurrences like underwater earthquakes or in certain cases, marine creatures like sharks could prove to be damaging to the process of marine archaeology. Therefore a marine archaeologist has to be very careful while trying to excavate a precious material submerged underwater. Because if a marine archaeologist is not careful, then it could lead to a loss that would be a loss not just to the present generation but also to the future generation as well.

Ships that have been submerged underwater for decades and centuries require expert handling that only a marine archaeologist can provide. Because most of such naval vessels have been constructed with wood, it is important that a marine archaeologist takes undue care and protection to excavate and restore the naval vessel without causing any further damage to it.

Shipwreck: Batavia
(Source: Western Australian Museum)

ANZSCO ID: 272414
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes  
    
A portion of marine or land-based archaeologists start their careers with bachelor’s and graduate degrees in geology, geophysics, oceanography and other earth sciences as well as chemistry and biology. They use these skills to survey the sea floor and its subsurface to locate archaeological remains. They must understand the nature of sea level changes that submerged the remains they are studying, and the chemical and biological effects that occurred over time.

Their knowledge of how sediments were deposited on any remains, or how the sediments may be removed, as well an understanding of ocean currents, are vital for any excavation program. Such scientists supplement their knowledge by attending short courses at universities and other research centers in history and archaeology.

Obtaining Diving Skills: Marine archaeologist jobs require extensive underwater experience to pursue their careers. These professionals should enroll in diving courses and become certified divers. Basic scuba equipment is used in exploring shallow coastal waters of less than 30 feet in depth.

Many universities and museums involved in marine archaeology provide short courses in scuba diving. But world class diving skills and several years of experience – whether as a professional or enthusiastic amateur – are needed to explore artifacts like Mayan ruins at 160-foot water depths offshore of Belize.

There are also health hazards at these depths from sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gas. These depths are the limits for scuba diving. Archaeologists need to learn to use underwater vehicles that allow them to survey to water depths of 18,000 feet.

Learning About Navigation: Marine archaeologists have to understand the principles of modern Geographical Information Systems and accompanying software applications. Coastal and subsea features change because of climate and geological effects. Precision navigation, assuming all instruments on board a ship are in good working order and the weather is clement, is important to ensure that the location of newly discovered remains can be pinpointed with confidence.

But if all fails because of severe weather conditions or instrument failure, the marine archaeologist should be able to deduce a position by dead reckoning. This is a way of working out a position at sea based on past navigation records but without the aid of instrumental navigation techniques.

(Source: Australian National Maritime Museum)

Duties and Tasks

In addition to operating such technologically sophisticated equipment as remote sensing devices, underwater archaeologists are often responsible for such duties as:

• Handling, analyzing, and recording waterlogged remains
• Conducting research using ship logs and manifests, explorers’ accounts, and legal records
• Writing reports and management recommendations
• Navigating boats to archaeological site locations
• Presenting research findings to both academic audiences and the public
• Writing books and/or articles for academic journals

Diving

Professional marine archaeologists need extensive underwater experience to pursue their careers. They should enroll in diving courses and become certified divers. Basic scuba equipment is used in exploring shallow coastal waters of less than 30 feet in depth. Many universities and museums involved in marine archaeology provide short courses in scuba diving. But world class diving skills and several years of experience -- whether as a professional or enthusiastic amateur -- are needed to explore artifacts like Mayan ruins at 160-foot water depths offshore of Belize. There are also health hazards at these depths from sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gas. These depths are the limits for scuba diving. Archaeologists need to learn to use underwater vehicles that allow them to survey to water depths of 18,000 feet.

Navigation

Marine archaeologists have to understand the principles of modern Geographical Information Systems [GIS] and accompanying software applications. Coastal and subsea features change because of climate and geological effects. Precision navigation, assuming all instruments on board a ship are in good working order and the weather is clement, is important to ensure that the location of newly discovered remains can be pinpointed with confidence. But if all fails because of severe weather conditions or instrument failure, the marine archaeologist should be able to deduce a position by dead reckoning. This is a way of working out a position at sea based on past navigation records but without the aid of instrumental navigation techniques.

Tools and technologies

Although underwater archaeologists generally use the same research and field methods as other archaeologists, their work environment requires them to make use of special equipment and tools. The first thing that an underwater archaeologist needs right off the bat is scuba equipment and dive training.

In addition, underwater archaeologists utilize special tools and techniques adopted from marine scientists and commercial divers to carry out research in their aquatic environment. For example, underwater archaeologists use magnetic and acoustic remote sensing equipment to locate inundated sites, and acoustic, infrared, and optical equipment to study and record them.

Working conditions

Underwater archaeology challenges researchers to carry out their investigations in a complex and often unpredictable environment, and the process can be very rewarding.

Most underwater archaeologists study nautical archaeology, or the study of historic and prehistoric ships and all things related to them. Thus, the shipwreck is the most common underwater archaeological site. Other sites that underwater archaeologists might investigate are sunken harbors and docks, or coastal towns, cities, and dwellings that are now underwater.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Many marine archaeologists start their careers with a graduate degree in the subject. There 15 universities in the world that offer degrees in marine, maritime or underwater archaeology. They may include courses on naval history or other maritime studies.

A portion of marine or land-based archaeologists start their careers with bachelor’s and graduate degrees in geology, geophysics, oceanography and other earth sciences as well as chemistry and biology. They use these skills to survey the sea floor and its subsurface to locate archaeological remains. They must understand the nature of sea level changes that submerged the remains they are studying, and the chemical and biological effects that occurred over time. Their knowledge of how sediments were deposited on any remains, or how the sediments may be removed, as well an understanding of ocean currents, are vital for any excavation program. Such scientists supplement their knowledge by attending short courses at universities and other research centers in history and archaeology.

Wreck Seeker - an online educational game for the classroom
https://youtu.be/boqm4oujmSw

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Anthropologist	Diver	Geographic Information Systems Officer	Historian
Political Scientist

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Archaelogists; ]
Marine Insight
Chron [Marine Archaeologist; What Education is needed; ]
Your Career [Archaeologist; ]