IKUWA3: Call for papers

The 3rd International Congress on Underwater Archaeology explores the theme of challenges in underwater archaeology: how underwater archaeology can be interlinked across boundaries, whether real or imagined, institutional, environmental, political, legislative or other.

Underwater archaeology in the early 21st century is undergoing a period of unprecedented change: new technologies allow access to ever more numerous and more inaccessible sites, sites which are, paradoxically, under ever greater threat. Remote survey and diving technologies, the mapping of wrecks and submerged landscapes, and familiarity with undersea deposits across the globe increasingly place underwater archaeology in the middle of a new era of underwater exploration. Meanwhile, public involvement and interest in the underwater cultural heritage is at an all-time high, and tools such as the UNESCO Convention may lead to unprecedented changes in the management environment.

Thanks to everyone who made a submission for IKUWA3. Approximately 120 papers have been selected from more than 300 abstracts received on one of the following three themes (discussed in concurrent sessions):

Theme A: Research Trends and Future Issues

Maritime, Underwater, Nautical, Marine or Wetland Archaeology? These differentiations have all been made in the development of archaeology interested in submerged material culture and 'landscapes'. Arguably, archaeologists could ask how many different 'archaeologies' are out there? And, are these archaeologies actually different? This session entitled 'Research Trends and the Future' will explore and challenge these 'differentiations' by analysing various approaches in archaeological research such as:

The application of different theoretical approaches and the lessons learnt
Seamless approaches and the adoption and application of concepts such as 'maritime cultural landscapes' and 'seascapes'.
The utilisation of maritime ethno-archaeology and its implications for our understanding of the past
Cross-disciplinary contributions and the study of submerged landscapes
Shipwrecks, aircraft, and other structures and the use and implications of social history.

This session will critically analyse archaeological research trends and the challenges that have been undertaken in the last years, will explore new venues, and reflect on the future of maritime, underwater, nautical, marine and wetland archaeology.

Theme B: Techniques and Scientific Applications

The scientific study of underwater archaeological sites in the form of shipwrecks and their cargoes, inundated terrestrial sites, foreshore and inter-tidal sites, is enormously important to the advancement of our knowledge of human history.

IKUWA3 provides a forum for researchers in underwater archaeology and related disciplines, to exchange ideas and explore future challenges in the development, application and implementation of new and existing technologies and scientific methods, and their relationship to the theory and practice of underwater archaeology. It is hoped that IKUWA3 will provide momentum in new directions in underwater archaeology, and showcase emerging technologies and methods in:

Conservation
Exploration and discovery
Survey technology
Data management and GIS
Excavation and recording
Experimental archaeology
Deep water archaeology
Blue water research

Together, these are opening up new frontiers in underwater science, and creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration 'beyond boundaries'.

Theme C: Managing Underwater Cultural Heritage for the Public

The practice of archaeology is undertaken ultimately by and for the public. This is realised in a wide variety of ways: enhancing knowledge through scholarly research, managing fragile underwater sites, disseminating information through a variety of media, hands-on engagement through visitor experiences and attractions, involvement in fieldwork, or increasing heritage-related leisure activities with walks, dives and trails. Encouraging public support and understanding has never been more important for developing long-term sustainability for underwater archaeology.

Securing the future of the underwater cultural resource for future generations is a challenging task. The development of appropriate management frameworks has to mitigate numerous threats, whether due to treasure hunters, development, intrusive industries or natural threats of weather, erosion and rising sea level. Such threats are often addressed through legislative means as well as through standards and guidance to help regulate conduct in the marine zone. Over three days this broad session theme will consider aspects of managing underwater cultural heritage for the public through a number of sub-themes:

Managing sites: in-situ preservation, development control, rescue archaeology, and planned recovery
Legislative frameworks and legal directions
Training, education and professional development: education provision, training schemes and examples, professional development, standards and ethics
Active public involvement
Managing public access: visitor schemes, museums, and the antiquities trade.

The IKUWA3 Call for Papers has now closed.