Marine Archeology

What is Marine Archeology? It is exactly what its name implies, archeology underwater. The field of Marine Archeology exhibits all of the challenges associated with regular archeology, but in an even more unpredictable environment. Because of the added difficulty, success can be extremely rewarding. Left undisturbed by human hands, the sea has hidden many priceless artifacts. Countless waterways and channels, which ships have sailed for centuries and along which many have sunk, remain completely unexplored. Because Marine Archeology is a relatively new field of science, thousands of hidden treasures still exists that await discovery (“Deep). Having lived near the ocean my entire life, I have always dreamed of exploring it to the fullest extent.

Once in the program students can choose one of three tracts to follow in which they can aspire to attain a master, PhD, or doctoral degree in marine archeology (“Admissions). “Underwater archeologists generally find employment in academia, state and local governments, and private organizations.” Full time permanent jobs are difficult, but not impossible, to come by. Those who do find themselves in a full time position as a marine archeologist will often be working to uncover a shipwreck, the most common underwater archeological site. Other types of sites include sunken harbors and docks, or coastal towns, cities, and dwellings (“Become). Large organizations such as the Institution of Nautical Archeology, are always seeking new energetic workers to aid in the fields of excavation, publicity, and archives. While one may begin as only an assistant to these larger companies, it is a wonderful way to become familiar in the field, and a great place to start

For sites bellow the limit of scuba-wear, more advanced technology must be employed, such as magnetic, acoustic, and infrared equipment. Underwater archeologists must learn to use the tools and expertise land archeologists use while submerged under tons of water. The weightlessness low visibility and lack of oxygen make this job as difficult as excavating on the moon (“Underwater). Jobs outside of actually working on site include “Handling, analyzing, and recording waterlogged remains; conducting research using ship logs and manifests, explorers accounts and legal records; writing reports and management recommendations, navigating boats to archeological site locations, presenting research findings to both academic audiences and the public; and writing books and/or articles for academic journals” (“Become). The pay for marine archeologists ranges from 30,000-90,000 dollars depending on the job. Making oneself as marketable as possible is the key to success. This can be accomplished by having a significant amount of underwater training, increasing and expanding diving qualifications, gaining experience in skills that are important to underwater archeology (such as navigation and remote sensing), or choosing a unique specialization within the field