Dr. Della A Scott-Ireton

"Examples and strategies for partnering with volunteers in maritime heritage research. This volume is the first to address the ways maritime archaeologists have engaged citizen scientists, presenting examples of projects and organizations that have involved volunteers in the important work of gathering and processing data. With a special focus on program development and sustainability, these practical case studies provide reference points for archaeologists looking to design their own citizen science projects. In these essays, contributors describe initiatives such as the Diver-Archaeological Reconnaissance Cooperative (DivARC), which involves combat veterans in meaningful research missions; Diving With a Purpose, which trains adults and youth in documenting and preserving African slave trade shipwrecks; and classroom education that encourages high school students to develop an interest in the field. As volunteers learn the scope, goals, and outcomes of their research, these studies show, they are empowered to become active participants-and true partners-in scientific inquiry. Throughout the wide range of experiences represented here, the chapter authors discuss challenges they encountered as well as ideas for optimizing future projects and strategies for welcoming diverse communities to this work. Arguing that these initiatives will create space for public engagement in heritage research, management, and preservation, Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology serves as a foundation for discussion of this goal"--
Includes bibliographical references and index

In creating interpretive strategies for maritime sites, archaeologists and resource managers often are required to think creatively to overcome challenges and problems. These issues include interpreting sites in inaccessible locations and extremely deep water, enabling and controlling access to fragile sites and restricted areas, monitoring visitor behavior, making information interesting to a wide audience, and creating opportunities for public engagement, among other concerns. Meeting Challenges presents cutting-edge interpretation and public education strategies for maritime resources, both on land and underwater, with emphasis on solving the unique problems often associated with presenting these fragile, limited-access sites as heritage attractions and on developing effective visitation and civic engagement opportunities. The examples presented ideally can serve as models for resource managers, archaeologists engaged in interpretation, and site administrators. This volume brings together a diverse group of heritage professionals to discuss issues they’ve encountered and to present ideas and case studies for adapting, improvising, and overcoming them.

This Manual is the result of an effort to establish state-of-the-art management and protection of submerged archaeological sites in light of UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage of 2001. It is intended for use as a reference tool by site managers, by stakeholders and partners in the protection of underwater cultural heritage, and by persons responsible for training courses in underwater archaeology.
More specifically, its contents expand on and illustrate the thirty-six Rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage presented in the Annex to the Convention, and fully endorsed by the members of the Convention’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Body in May 2011.
UNESCO wishes to thank the Kingdom of Norway for its generous support, Thijs Maarleveld, Professor for Maritime Archaeology and President of the ICOMOS International Committee for Underwater Cultural Heritage, for his guidance, as well as the international team of renowned archaeologists conservation specialists and the editorial staff who contributed to making this project come true.

This vital book is a collection on the various ways archaeologists and resource managers have devised to make available and interpret submerged cultural resources for the public, such as underwater archaeological preserves, shipwreck trails, and land-based interpretive media and literature. The concept of preserves, parks, and trails has proven to be an effective and popular method of public education and heritage tourism with the end result being a greater public understanding of the value of preserving and protecting shipwrecks, and other submerged cultural resources, for the future. Within each contribution, the authors focus on: -legislation; -economic benefits; -interpretation methods; -problems and successes; -future directions regarding their preserve, park, or trail programs. Various approaches to the concept have been explored and this book is an effort to make available our experiences in the management of submerged cultural resources for the public. This volume is an invaluable resource to underwater archaeologists, cultural and heritage resource managers, museum and heritage educators and those studying these professions.