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This message is in MIME format. The first part should be readable text, while the remaining parts are likely unreadable without MIME-aware tools. --Boundary (ID 8nJImyIEiRn2qCjN+MbHtw) Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII For information on shipwreck research: A bbs that deals somewhat with this is Historical Archaeology (HISTARCH@AS*.BI*). Shipwreck or underwater archaeology is associated with the academic field of historical archaeology. Also, for publications, begin with the Society for Historical Archaeology, P.O. Box 30446, Tucson, AZ 85751-0446. They publish a monthly journal. Associated with them is the Advisory Council of Underwater Archaeologists - they publish an annual conference proceedings. Look for The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. It is published by Academic Press (London). Major universities with programs are: East Carolina University. (History Department). Greenville, NC. Texas A&M University (Anthropology and Nautical Archaeology). College Station, Texas. University of Hawaii (Marine Option Program). This is a new program to begin this fall (1994). Another legitimate organization is Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society. P.O. Box 44382, L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC 20026. The National Park Service has done extensive work. The team that does this is the Submerged Cultural Resources Unit. Their headquarters is in Santa Fe, NM (and I don't have the address with me, it is at work...) The National Maritime Initiative can provide lots of info also. Contact: National Park Service, History Division (418), P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127. If you don't already have, ask them for the Abandoned Shipwreck Act. It is the federal law and is interesting reading. Contrary to "popular" belief it is not against sport divers. Hopefully this will start you. If you need more info, contact me. Regarding taking of artifacts off shipwrecks, that is a long discussion. I'll sum it up with a couple of thoughts. The sport diver community now promotes not to wreck the coral reefs and remove shells (take photos instead) so that all may enjoy. It is the same with shipwrecks. Shipwrecks also represent our history. History is owned by all of us as a culture and society, not individuals. If individuals take port holes, etc. they are denying the rest of us our history and an opportunity to learn. History belongs to all of us. sometimes shipwrecks, as other archaeological sites require excavation - but in all archaeology excavation and removal of artifacts is a last resort and must have a reason - but some times there maybe a need for ppreservation or the site is endangered. In these cases, proper study and removal prevents damage to the artifacts, as well as preserves all information regarding the site it came from. It is not just the artifact, but its relationship to everything else in the ship that tells a story. Not only are bells and bottles and port holes valuable, but also the wood decks, and metal and borken pieces of everything else. How are the frames constructed and all sorts of other questions. I was recently horrified when I was in Kwajalein last month. A "wreck" diver was showing me the Japanese wrecks from WWII. We discovered a new wreck, a small Japanese landing craft. As I was documenting the wreck with my video, I turned and saw him chopping away the wood deck to see if anything of "value, like a bell" was below it. That deck no longer exists for anybody to see. On the same trip, I heard all about the bells and gauges that are sitting in garages back in homes in the US where no one will ever get to see. Anyway, I did not mean to get carried away, as this discussion can go on and on. There is a need, and it does work, for cooperation between professional archaeologist and sport divers. Several states have successful programs in this regard. The National Park Service has underwater parks and promotes this idea. **************************************************************************** Jim Adams jimadams@uh*.uh*.Ha*.ed* USS Arizona Memorial, NPS (808) 423-7300 1 Arizona Memorial Place Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 **************************************************************************** On Wed, 15 Jun 1994, MARK H. MUNRO (203)447-1791 x2504 wrote: --Boundary (ID 8nJImyIEiRn2qCjN+MbHtw)--
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