Marine Archaeology

When we think of archaeology we thing of digging up bones, excavating tunnels to hidden crypts ... finding lost civilizations.

We should also think of marine archaeology in the same manner. We dig up the bones of ships, excavate the bottom of the lakes or seas ... find the lost history of shipping and the people who benefited from them.

A handful of marine archaeologists, ranks of amateurs, schools of divers, and a fringe industry of wreck hunters all, for different reasons, lay claim to the unique heritage that humankind has left below the surface of the water.

SOS has a PDF booklet available concerning Preserving our Marine Heritage, we highly suggest reading this.

Word from the Webmaster

Shipwrecks have been locked in the place where only SCUBA divers venture, yet if this were above water it would be historically documented and presented to the general public in forms of literature or museum presentations. Even though most of the general public cannot easily view the shipwreck, it should not deter us from historically presenting this for all to remember. Note that during the 1800's and early 1900's, shipping was an everyday part of life. This was the normal means of transportation of goods and people. This is the history of Toronto.

Over the years to come the shipwrecks will deteriorate, this is a known fact, but we will not really know at what rates or if artifacts are taken from these wrecks. With diligent observation by the diving community we can keep an eye on these heritage sites and document the site. For future generations they might never really know what these ships looked like in their pristine state when they were first discovered after they sunk, unless we do our part in keeping this information.

The removal of artifacts on shipwrecks is one particular aspect that destroys the historical nature of the site. For example, taking of a simple piece of ceramic from an unknown shipwreck may completely destroy any chance of dating the wreck as the simple piece of ceramic may hold a clue to the ship's time period. Repositioning of artifacts through diver intervention or environmental influence will scatter pieces of the shipwreck and alter the "crime scene".

Through the offering of courses such as the NAS I courses setup by SOS, Save Ontario Shipwrecks is promoting SCUBA divers and dive clubs to participate in the archaeological aspect of the shipwrecks. Also through the promotion of educational material such as the Baby Jane video, will we promote shipwreck preservation.

This chapter and the SOS Hamilton chapter is actively involved in the archaeological aspect of a number of newly discovered shipwrecks.. This sort of activity should be promoted further to encompass those previously discovered (and dived) shipwrecks.

As a SCUBA diver, I have learned to appreciate the sport of diving. I have also learned to appreciate the historical value of the shipwrecks that I have been diving. During my research into new dive sites, I realized that SCUBA diver's are not viewing the shipwrecks on a historical or archaeological aspect. Diving is a sport, and diving on shipwrecks is entertaining. As I started to get interested into the historical value of the shipwrecks I began to see that very little has been collected, and finding detailed drawings was next to impossible. As time went on I kept hearing stories of divers that remove artifacts (or in some countries this is called salvaging), and have encountered wrecks that have pieces missing that once were available.

I do not believe that our shipwrecks should be left strictly for the diving community, nor do I believe that these shipwrecks should remain without the same level of historical value that we have placed on above-water artifacts. Remember, that we as SCUBA divers have the responsibility of presenting and preserving these shipwrecks for future generations of divers and surface-dwellers.

Ontario Ministry of Culture

Ontario's Marine Heritage

Ontario Heritage Act changes

This amends legislation across government to clarify, update, streamline and improve provisions:

• Clarify that a licence is required to alter or remove artifacts from an archaeological site (a licence is not required for normal agricultural work or routine maintenance of property)
• Clarify that archaeological sites include marine sites
• Simplify the Act by replacing the various terms used for archaeology with the single term “archaeological fieldwork”
• Allow Ministry to define in regulation key terms that are not currently defined in the Act (e.g. “archaeological site”)
• Give the Ministry the ability to put in regulation licence categories, eligibility criteria and requirements
• Clarify that the Ministry licenses individuals, not companies or institutions
• Specify that the activities proposed by licence applicants must be consistent with the conservation, protection and preservation of Ontario’s heritage
• Provide the Ministry with the option to issue lifetime licences in the future
• Take licensing forms out of regulation so they can be updated more easily

SOS Publications

Some other publications from SOS

The Bermuda survey

Munising Michigan

The Bermuda is a two masted schooner located in the Alger Underwater Preserve off of Munising Michigan. She is mostly intact and is lying at 12-30 feet depths. MARI is involved in a survey of the wreck as she is an example of a Welland canal type vessel.

With generous co-operation from Captain Peter Lindquist, and others in the Munising community, MARI initiated detailed measurements, still, and video images of the wreck. Captain Peter Lindquist is a key member of the preserve and is also commercially involved with scuba diving charters and glass bottom boat tours of the local wrecks (including the Bermuda) ... http://www.shipwrecktours.com/. His assistance was invaluable as he holds a vast amount of information concerning her past and present (and for providing the crew transportation to the site). As she is very shallow, the Bermuda makes for a fantastic show in Peter's glass bottom boat. This also gives Peter the opportunity to educate non-divers to the history of Great Lakes shipping (as he takes out thousands of sightseers each year).

SOS members from the Toronto and Hamilton chapter were part of the initial crew taking sketches and measurements. Key components of the ship were documented and specific measurements were taken by the crew.

Craig Stull (SOS Hamilton), Kimberly Monk (MARI), Captain Peter Lindquist, Serena and Dennis Oyama (SOS Toronto).

Below water is the Bermuda.

The Sligo

Her official website, describes her archaeological activities to date.

See a copy of the Mosaic on our Sligo page.

NAS training

They also teach courses in underwater archaeology...

Archaeology is a challenging combination of theory, detective work and practical skills. It could be described as the ultimate multi-discipline, especially when practiced underwater. All the activities that interest you underwater are involved in archaeology - survey, photography, remote sensing, wreck diving, night diving, excavation, use of tools, helmet diving, salvage, etc. All are integral parts of this enormous subject. For non-divers there are a host of logistical and management tasks, surface orientated techniques and post fieldwork analysis.

Introduction to foreshore and underwater archaeology.

This one day course has an emphasis on shipwreck archaeology and includes practical sessions on underwater site surveying techniques, 'dry' sessions covering the principles of nautical archaeology, past and present projects and how you can contribute to our knowledge of the past. This course will appeal to students, sports divers, non-divers, in fact anyone who has an interest in the past. Divers need CMAS 1 * or equivalent.

BSAC and SAA Divers attending this course are entitled to apply for a 'Basic Archaeological Diver' skill development certificate. PADI divers can apply for a 'Basic Archaeology Certificate' on some of our courses.

* Part I is a 2 day course normally run over a weekend. The course builds on the skills and principles introduced during the 'Introductory' course. The practical skills are in a more challenging open water environment. The course includes the use of 3-D survey programmes, project planning, conservation of waterlogged finds and geophysical survey techniques. (Divers need CMAS 2 * or equivalent).

BSAC and SAA Divers can apply for an 'Archaeological Diver Certificate' from their respective organisations.

* Part II consists of attendance of the equivalent of 2 days of conferences, and the production of a short survey report.

* Part III This qualification which is recognised by the Institute of Field Archaeologists is achieved by attending either weekend courses, field schools, or working on archaeological sites. The courses include: conservation, archaeological science, finds illustration, photography, use of Remotely Operated Vehicles, advanced diving equipment, area survey using geophysical techniques such as side scan sonar, underwater survey techniques, excavation strategies and methods and IT skills. The main objective of the Part III syllabus is to help develop a competent field worker who would be an asset to any project.

* Part IV is the final element of the NAS Programme, and provides a certification level for a fieldworker capable of supervising on site in conjunction with an archaeological director.