Archaeology
What is Underwater Archaeology?
Underwater archaeology deals with archaeological sites found below the surface
of oceans, rivers, and lakes and on the foreshore. In addition to shipwrecks,
underwater archaeologists study submerged aboriginal sites such as fish weirs
and middens; remains of historic structures such as wharves, canal locks, and
marine railways; sunken aircraft; and other submerged cultural heritage resources.
Diver at Red Bay
© Parks Canada
Underwater archaeology shares the same methodology and principles as archaeology
carried out on land sites. All archaeology involves the careful study of
artefacts, structures and features to reconstruct and explain the lives of people
in the past. However, because it is carried out in a more challenging
environment, underwater archaeological fieldwork is more complex than land
archaeology.
Specialized techniques and equipment are required to work productively underwater. Staying
warm during long dives is a constant concern, so underwater archaeologists often
use masks that cover their entire faces, dry suits worn over layers of warm clothing,
or in cases where the water is extremely cold, such as the excavation in Red
Bay (Labrador), wet suits supplied with a flow of hot water. Underwater
communication systems are used to talk to people on the surface or to other divers. Removing
sediments covering underwater sites requires the controlled use of specially
designed equipment such as suction airlifts and small dredges. Recording
information underwater presents its own challenges. Special underwater
paper is used for notes and drawings, while photo and video cameras are placed
in waterproof housings.
Underwater archaeological fieldwork includes remote-sensing surveys using
geophysical techniques, diving surveys to locate and map sites, site monitoring,
and excavation. The
success of an underwater archaeological project rests on accurate documentation
of all aspects of the process. Meticulous mapping and recording are particularly
essential when excavation is required, as artefacts and other physical evidence
are permanently removed from their original contexts. Archaeologists aim
to be able to reconstruct the entire site from the records they generate
during fieldwork.
Underwater Archaeology at Parks Canada: