Knowra Underwater archaeology Underwater archaeology Underwater archaeology studies human history through submerged sites and material remains. It investigates shipwrecks, drowned settlements, and other traces of past human activity beneath water.
Marine geophysics : The use of physical measurements to map and characterize features beneath water or the seafloor. Sonar and related surveys locate buried structures and wrecks before excavation.
Site formation processes : Natural and human processes that create, alter, and preserve the archaeological record. Currents, storms, and human actions determine how submerged sites form.
Uluburun shipwreck : A Late Bronze Age shipwreck off the coast of southern Turkey, carrying a diverse cargo of traded goods. Its cargo illuminates exchange networks across the eastern Mediterranean.
Maritime archaeology : The study of past human relationships with seas, rivers, and other waterways through material evidence. It includes underwater sites but also investigates maritime activity on land.
Side-scan sonar : A sonar system that produces images of objects and texture on the seabed. Its acoustic images help identify wreck sites across broad areas.
Taphonomy : The study of processes affecting remains from deposition through discovery. It helps distinguish ancient activity from later movement or decay underwater.
Antikythera wreck : An ancient shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera, known for its sculptures and geared astronomical device. Its finds connect underwater excavation with ancient technology and trade.
Nautical archaeology : The archaeological study of boats and ships, including their construction and use. It focuses more narrowly on watercraft than underwater archaeology as a whole.
Photogrammetry : The creation of measurements and three-dimensional models from overlapping photographs. Underwater image sets can preserve detailed site records without moving artifacts.
Marine sediment : Particles deposited on the seabed, including sand, mud, and organic matter. Sediment can bury, expose, or displace archaeological remains.
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