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I hope all the recent e-mail exchange on sport divers, archaeologists, laws
and wreck preservation isn't giving readers the idea that there is an
impossible gap between professional archaeologists and sport divers.  Many
archaeologists rely heavily on support from sport divers and avocational
archaeologists--and enjoy working with them.

I, myself, was a sport diver for years before becoming an archaeologist.  In
fact, it was the enjoyment and satisfaction I received from my volunteer work
with professional archaeologists that convinced me to change my profession
from engineering to archaeology.   I directed a shipwreck excavation in
Virginia (a WELL-PRESERVED 200-year-old British ship) which could not have
been completed without the hundreds of divers who volunteered their help (we
logged over 25,000 volunteer hours, most of them by divers!).  I have
thoroughly enjoyed working with other avocational groups, especially the
Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society (MAHS) which has done excellent
work--they even had a booth at this year's SHA Conference on Historical and
Underwater Archaeology in Washington, DC.  There are literally scores of
"happy stories" I could relate, but most of you know them already.

The only point I wanted to make is that those of us who have been and will
continue to be dedicated to cooperating with all types of groups and
individuals on archaeological research and education should not be discouraged
that not everyone will agreee with us.  There are folks on both ends of the
spectrum that will never seek a viable compromise but, fortunately, there are
enough of us "in the middle" who will continue to work to improve the system. 

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