Underwater archaeology has the makings of a ruse. Archaeological sites demand prolonged surveys and excavations. Gathering fossils and artifacts could be an endless search. These operations will be cut short underwater, within the span of human breath. And while scuba gear stretches possibilities in netherworlds, it also has its limits.
Still, it’s a promising method that tracks history where it passed. Submarines and remote sensors could be deployed for more explorations, but these could not replace that moment of pure scientific insight that connects clues and artifacts to each other. Human discernment, first of all, points out
“submerged cultural resources”. These are sites bearing the imprints and other evidence of humanity’s existence. Shipwrecks, geological formations, and historical remains of monuments are examples.
Despite its risks and logistical constraints, underwater archaeology is regularly practiced. It has been a great service in bringing to surface prehistoric upheavals, such as
early migrations to the New World and
bygone maritime cultures in Northern Europe.
Shipwrecks are easy points of interest. The muted splendor that surrounds sunken vessels and battleships is of a cinematic quality that writes its own screenplay. It is not by accident that
James Cameron imagined a love story and a billion-dollar remodeled ship after hauling Titanic up for air. The sea’s detritus has a way of preserving secrets of the past and lending an aged kind of romanticism to how historians interpret it.
Underwater archaeology naturally demands scuba training. Most archeologists who have been involved in land digs contend with this problem when the historical trail leads them underwater. Phil Newsum and the Association of Diving Contractors International can assist in training, particularly in deep sea diving. For more information, visit this Facebook page.
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