Tag: maritime-history

2024 Nautical Archaeology Training Workshop and MAST Annual Dinner

Join NMGL and MAST as we discuss underwater archaeology techniques and tools. Become a citizen scientist and help preserve cultural heritage.

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/maritime-archaeological-survey-team-12746914142

Shipwrecks have always been sources of wonder and fascination. The documentation of these important pieces of history has been a priority for the National Museum of the Great Lakes and the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team. Over the 20-year collaboration, these two organizations have developed a methodical process to survey Ohio shipwrecks in low-visibility situations. Come be a part of our team; take our three-day training workshop.

Over three days, our Basic Workshop will teach students the basics of surveying a shipwreck. We will cover Ship Terms, Laws and Ethics, Research, Survey Tools, and Trilateration (the technique we use to measure shipwrecks) as well as much more. After two days of classroom work, the training concludes on May 18 &19 at White Star Quarry with in-water training. The workshop is designed for divers and non-divers (non-divers assist on land with data interpretation.) The work is also appropriate for novice divers. At the completion of the class, all students will become members of MAST and be invited to take part in ongoing fieldwork in Lake Erie during the summer. The cost of the class is $140 and covers all materials needed, breakfast, and lunch in April. Please note: this is a three-day class – a full weekend in April with classroom and dry run practicals. Then one of two days in May for in-water practice (May 18 or 19).

We are happy to bring back the MAST annual meeting and dinner this year- for the first time since 2019. Join us for dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Toledo (42 S Superior St, Toledo, OH 43604) for an evening of food, learning, and fun. (Please note that access to the dining room is only via stairs – there is no elevator or lift) Caitlin Zant, a maritime archaeologist, will be joining us to talk about the Adriatic, one of the earliest self-unloaders and the archaeological project she led to study its remains.

“Unloading History: The History, Documentation, and Recovery of the Self-Unloading Schooner Barge, Adriatic

Maritime Archeologist, Caitlin Zant will discuss the history of the Great Lakes first converted self-unloading schooner barge, Adriatic. Explore the shipwreck through underwater archaeology, and subsequent excavation, and removal of the resource from Sturgeon Bay. Hear what was learned about Adriatic’s construction features and adaptation for use, and the process of the vessel’s recovery from the bottom of Sturgeon Bay.”

Caitlin Zant is the Research and Communications Specialist of NOAA’s Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Prior to this, Caitlin worked as a Maritime Archaeologist for the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program for over 8 years, after attending graduate school for Maritime Studies at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Caitlin has been involved in numerous Great Lakes archaeological projects, public presentations, workshops, and outreach events, and has assisted in nominating over twenty-five Wisconsin shipwrecks to the National and State Register of Historic Places. Prior to becoming a maritime archaeologist, Caitlin studied History, Geography, and GIS at Carthage College, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.”

Post Doc: maritime archaeology applied to the evolution of the coastal landscape.

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/hosting/nantes-universite-msca-pf-2024-hosting-offer-centre-research-archaeology

Gaëlle Dieulefet associate professor from the Centre for Research in Archaeology, Archaeosciences and History (CReAAH) at Nantes Université is looking for postdoctoral candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) in 2024.

Maritime landscape, underwater and coastal archaeology, geography, history, marine geoscience, coastal society, island, ocean studies

The Joint Research Unit (UMR) 6566 CReAAH “Centre de Recherche en Archéologie, Archéosciences, Histoire” created in 1991 is an interdisciplinary unit at the crossroads of human and social sciences, environmental sciences and physical and chemical sciences. The project will be part of Team of Archaeology of coastal, maritime and river areas. This team aims to develop innovative coastal observation systems, to gain knowledge of how the coast was occupied and exploited, to understand how coastal, maritime and fluvial landscapes were formed and evolved and how they were developed.

The desired theme is maritime archaeology applied to the evolution of the coastal landscape. There are several possible approaches: 1. the modification of the oceanic coastline by the exploitation of marine resources (adaptation to the environment, resilience, transformation of the territory over the long term); 2. the evolution of navigation practices induced by environmental changes (displacement of port areas, networks, new forms of naval architecture); 3. the diffusion of cultural practices between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (social and comparative approach, adaptation of practices, empirical knowledge and methods of diffusion).

New Researchers in Maritime History Conference

https://www.maritimehistory.org.uk/new-researchers

At this annual conference, the British Commission supports emerging scholars who wish to share their work in a supportive environment and build relations with other maritime historians. We encourage applications from research degree students and warmly encourage participation by independent scholars. Contributions can address all aspects of maritime history in its broadest sense.

It is held in the spring of each year, and the location moves around Britain, as the conference is hosted by a variety of universities and museums and is sponsored by the Society for Nautical Research. 

New Researchers in Maritime History Conference at the University of Strathclyde 22-23 March 2024

The British Commission for Maritime History (BCMH), in association with the University of Strathclyde, warmly invite you to the twenty-ninth conference for new researchers. This annual conference organised by BCMH is supported by the Society for Nautical Research.

Join us at the University of Strathclyde in the heart of Glasgow, a city transformed through maritime trade and shipbuilding from the early modern period onwards. This is an ideal location to hold this annual conference and provides a unique opportunity for new scholars to present their work in a historic setting and in a supportive environment.

As well as papers from new researchers, the conference will also feature a keynote address by Professor Alison Cathcart, Professor of Early Modern Scottish and Archipelagic History at the University of Stirling, who will speak on “The ‘scattered isles in the polar ocean’: Scotland and the sea in the (long) sixteenth century.”

New Study Opens Window to Cultural Past in Great Lakes Sanctuary

https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/feb24/maritime-cultural-landscape-study.html

February 2024

While shipwrecks are often the primary focus of maritime heritage preservation in America’s Great Lakes national marine sanctuaries, a recent two-part maritime cultural landscape study of the 962-square-mile Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary reveals that shipwrecks only tell part of the story of human connections to the natural environment in this region. There were many harbors, shipyards, and lumber mills associated with Euro-American fisheries tied to sanctuary waters, and these inland seas were essential for Indigenous peoples for millennia before European contact. The report highlights the need for future Tribal cultural landscape studies by Indigenous peoples in their own voices.

“People have used these waters for over 10,000 years,” said Russ Green, superintendent of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. “Historic shipwrecks happen to be the most visible of the sanctuary’s archaeological features, but they represent just a fraction of its history and cultural significance. We hope this report can be a starting point to working in partnership with local Indigenous peoples in future cultural studies.”

What is a Maritime Cultural Landscape?

A maritime cultural landscape study is like a special investigation that looks at the connection between people and the marine environment over time. It explores how humans have interacted with the ocean, rivers, and other waterways, and how these interactions have shaped cultures and communities. This study goes beyond just the physical structures like boats or ports; it also considers stories, traditions, and communities related to waterways.

2024 National Maritime Award

https://floridahistoryday.com/awards-and-prizes/2024-national-maritime-award

As part of the 2023−24 Florida History Day program, the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS) is sponsoring a scholarship for a junior-division and a senior-division entry that explores a maritime history topic. Criteria for these prizes are presented below. Recipients will be announced during the Florida History Day Awards Ceremony. For additional information about the Society, go to www.seahistory.org.

Prizes for 1st Place (ONE each for junior and senior divisions) include a $100 cash prize (divided equally for group projects), a one-year membership in NMHS which includes Sea History magazine, recognition on the NMHS website,  and a certificate of achievement.  The mentoring teacher will receive a one-year membership in NMHS and recognition on the NMHS website. 

Prizes for 2nd Place (ONE each for junior and senior divisions) include a $50 cash prize (divided equally for group projects), one-year membership in NMHS which includes Sea History magazine, recognition on the NMHS website, and a certificate of achievement.  The mentoring teacher will receive a one-year membership in NMHS and recognition on the NMHS website. 

Individual or group entries in any NHD category may apply for the NMHS scholarships if they meet the following criteria.

  • The entry is advancing to the Florida History Day state contest.
  • The entry meets National History Day Contest Rule Book guidelines for all categories.
  • The project represents scholarly and historically accurate research.
  • The project topic relates to maritime history and to the NHD annual theme. The topic can relate to a person, event, or idea associated with maritime history such as underwater archaeology, ships, ship construction, artifacts, navigation, seafaring, naval operations, or maritime customs.

The deadline for applications is March 27, 2024. Entries will be evaluated by a three-person judging team. A scholarship awarded to a group entry will be divided equally among the participating students. Applying for a National Maritime Historical Society scholarship does not prohibit a student(s) from nominating an entry for other Florida History Day special prizes.

To apply for the National Maritime Historical Society Scholarship, send four copies of the NMHS application form (PDF File PDF, 136 KB), entry process paper, and annotated bibliography to FHD Coordinator. 

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Mail applications to:
Florida History Day Coordinator
Museum of Florida History
500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250

Deadline: March 27, 2024

4-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Instability and Pollution Potential Mapping of Irish Shipwreck Sites for a National Risk Assessment Database (I-PoINt).

Earth and Ocean Lab, Department of Geography, University College Cork

https://www.earthworks-jobs.com/marine/ucc23121

The Earth and Ocean Lab, at the Department of Geography, University College Cork wishes to appoint a Post-Doctoral researcher to undertake the I-POINT project. Shipwrecks are anthropogenically derived seafloor features with important cultural heritage that may form biodiversity ‘hotspots’ in otherwise barren parts of the seabed. In recent times, their presence has typically been considered a hazard to trade and navigation (shipping routes), energy (renewable energy development) and marine resources (trawling). However, a relatively lesser studied hazard is the pollution potential of shipwrecks given their composition, cargo and long-term exposure to the marine environment that can up-concentrate shipwreck-derived pollutants akin to placer deposits. The I-POINT project is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research project that: i) identifies, maps and ranks the distribution of polluting shipwrecks around Ireland, and; ii) quantifies the impacts of the most intensely polluting shipwrecks. To do this, we propose a data-driven assessment of online archives, historical records, peer-reviewed literature using a Python-based automatic web-scraping method. Subsequent machine-learning analysis will rank shipwrecks pollution potential, their pollutants and distribution. A follow up multisensory survey will map the most intensely polluting wrecks (multibeam, magnetometry, side scan sonar, sediment sampling and ROV-based photogrammetry) and provide high-resolution multiscale (5 cm to 2 m) 3D models for input to hydrodynamic modelling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This assessment will determine the controls on pollution, the distribution of pollutants and their variance under changing marine environmental conditions, as well as assisting with scour studies to determine wreck site stability. On a broader scale, the real impact of this research will be the creation of a legacy report aimed at informing policy makers and other stakeholders at how to best manage and remedy shipwreck-based pollution on the short (5 years) and long term (50 years). The project is funded through the Marine Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Experience and knowledge in any of the following areas would be highly valued: seafloor mapping and imaging (ROV-derived photogrammetry acquisition and processing, multibeam sonar); data mining/web-scraping; sediment analysis (geochemical and particle size); CFD modelling; Irish shipwreck (heritage and policy). The appointee will work directly with PI’s at University College Cork and University College Dublin, and will be expected to engage with a range of external stakeholder organisations.

For an information package including further details of the post and to apply see: https://ore.ucc.ie/ (Job ID: 073372).

Application can only be accepted through at the above link.

The deadline for applications is 02-Feb-2024 12:00.

CFP: State of the Art in Underwater Cultural Heritage: Policies in the Era of Blue Economy and Incorporation into Maritime Spatial Planning

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/heritage/special_issues/A6HXIZBZUM

Dear Colleagues,

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) refers to human-made structures and artifacts submerged underwater, including sunken cities, shipwrecks, and submerged ruins. UCH research is crucial for understanding humanity’s past, cultural heritage, and the evolution of maritime technology. This field focuses on UCH-related policies in the era of blue economy and on its incorporation into marine/maritime spatial planning endeavors worldwide. The focus of this Special Issue will also be on the diagnostics, conservation, and monitoring of UCH through advanced scientific techniques and technologies. Preserving cultural legacies, promoting sustainable tourism, and generating blue economic benefits while safeguarding the marine environment and preventing unauthorized looting and exploitation are key priorities. Harmonious co-existence with other maritime uses (e.g, tourism, nature conservation, offshore wind infrastructure, etc.) is also a key priority of this Special Issue.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) to provide a comprehensive platform for showcasing cutting-edge research and advancements in the field of underwater cultural heritage. This Special Issue seeks to bring together contributions that highlight policies and strategies acknowledging UCH as a contributor to blue economy and as a distinct maritime use in maritime spatial plans from all over the world. Contributions focused on multi-use settings, including UCH in a harmonious co-existence with other traditional or emerging maritime uses, are also welcome. Moreover, this Special Issue invites papers which incorporate innovative diagnostic techniques, conservation methodologies, and monitoring approaches aimed at preserving and protecting underwater cultural sites. The aim of this Special Issue is to advance the understanding of underwater cultural heritage, promote sustainable conservation practices, and contribute to the broader body of knowledge in cultural heritage management and preservation.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Policies and strategies acknowledging UCH as a contributor to blue economy;
  • Modes of incorporation of UCH as a distinct maritime use in maritime spatial plans;
  • Realized examples of harmonious co-existence of UCH with other marine uses and the assessment of the potential of UCH-driven multi-use;
  • Advanced diagnostic techniques for the identification and documentation of underwater cultural heritage sites;
  • Innovative conservation methodologies and strategies for preserving and protecting underwater cultural heritage;
  • Valuation methods of underwater cultural heritage;
  • Sustainable management practices for the long-term preservation of underwater cultural heritage sites.

Prof. Dr. Stella Sofia Kyvelou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI’s English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • underwater cultural heritage
  • accessible underwater cultural sites (AUCSs)
  • sunken cities
  • shipwrecks
  • UCH and sustainable tourism
  • Underwater natural and cultural heritage
  • coastal/marine cultural ecosystem services
  • diagnostic techniques
  • conservation and monitoring
  • coastal heritage
  • underwater cultural landscapes
  • UCH and climate change
  • valuation methods of UCH

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.

One doctoral studentship in Archaeology within the research area of Historical Studies, affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS)

https://academicpositions.com/ad/sodertorn-university/2024/one-doctoral-studentship-in-archaeology-within-the-research-area-of-historical-studies-affiliated-with-the-baltic-and-east-european-graduate-school-beegs/211406

One specialisation offered at Södertörn University is maritime archaeology, and the MARIS research institute is able to support new projects in a range of ways. For more information, please click here (English version) or click here (Swedish version).

Archaeology focuses on human beings and their culture and society, from ancient times to the present day. Using material remains as their primary source material, archaeologists interpret what life was like at different times and in different cultural contexts. Archaeology at Södertörn University also emphasises a critical perspective and the importance of relating archaeology to current societal issues. Archaeological research is thus not only about the past, but entails equal emphasis on the understanding of people as cultural beings. One specialisation offered at Södertörn University is maritime archaeology, and the MARIS research institute is able to support new projects in a range of ways. For more information, please click here (English version) or click here (Swedish version).

Historical Studies is a research area in the humanities in which aspects of society, culture and heritage are studied from different perspectives. The area is characterised by an empirical and theoretical focus on social and cultural change and long time perspectives. Historical Studies includes five subject areas for doctoral studies: Archaeology, Ethnology, History, History of Ideas, and the Study of Religions. For more information about Historical Studies, please click here (English version).

The planned research for this studentship must be relevant to the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe, since the position is affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), www.sh.se/beegs, which is financed by the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, and part of the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES) www.sh.se/cbees, at Södertörn University. This region comprises the Baltic Sea, the states surrounding it, and post-Communist Central, South and East Europe. Research relating exclusively to Sweden or Swedish conditions cannot be funded. However, funding may be granted for research concerning Sweden or countries entirely outside the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe, as part of comparative studies where there is a legitimate scholarly reason.

Koç University Mustafa V. Koç Maritime Archaeology Research Center (KUDAR) short-term residential fellowship in Istanbul, in the Spring of 2024

Call for Applications: KUDAR Short-Term Residential Fellowship

The Koç University Mustafa V. Koç Maritime Archaeology Research Center (KUDAR) will be offering one short-term residential fellowship in Istanbul, in the Spring of 2024.  The fellowship is supported by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI) Istanbul. We are seeking applicants to conduct desk-based research on specific maritime aspects of the ancient city of Pergamon and its surrounding region, preferably focusing on the carrying capacity of its three main ports at Elaia, Pitane, and Kane.  This research may be a stand-alone project, or part of the applicant’s larger research agenda. 

The successful applicant will have housing in the residence of the DAI in Istanbul for the duration of their research.  They are expected to be in residence in Istanbul for approximately two to three months, and ideally between the middle of March and the middle of June, 2024.  The residential fellow will also be awarded a stipend during their residency of approximately 1200 EUR per month.  To apply, please send the following items as email attachments:

  • Research Statement (two pages maximum): Proposed plan of research while in residence, which should include the research topic, methodology, and use of DAI resources.
  • Personal Statement (one page maximum): Applicant’s scholarly background and experience to undertake the proposed research plan.
  • Curriculum Vita, including contact information

The deadline for applications will be Monday, January 15th, 2024.  For more information about the application process, this opportunity, and expectations, please feel free to contact Dr. Matthew Harpster at mharpster@ku.edu.tr.

Funded MA Positions in Maritime Archaeology

Call for Applications: Funded MA Positions in Maritime Archaeology

The Koç University Mustafa V. Koç Maritime Archaeology Research Center (KUDAR) is seeking candidates for funded MA positions to begin in the Autumn of 2024.  We are seeking applicants who propose a research agenda that compliments the center’s strengths in maritime archaeology in the Mediterranean, which includes desk-based and field research, as well as topics in conservation science.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for this open call through the Koç University application system; the approximate deadline for applications will be May 1, 2024.  Successful candidates will begin in the Autumn of 2024, and will receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and possible housing on campus.  Questions about the post may be directed to Dr. Matthew Harpster (mharpster@ku.edu.tr). 

In addition, we also seek applicants who are motivated to pursue the following topic:

Marine and coastal sites on the World Heritage List are found around the world.  Very commonly, these sites are valued for their environmental characteristics or terrestrial cultural heritage, whereas associated underwater cultural heritage is often coincidental or not considered at all.  As part of the ongoing efforts of a working group in the International Council on Museums and Sites (ICOMOS) presently investigating this imbalance between underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites and the World Heritage List, we are seeking a pro-active, motivated individual to pursue MA research incorporating three elements:

  1. Identifying which marine or coastal sites on the World Heritage List may contain UCH, although this is not evident in either their inscription files or management plans;
  2. Identify the challenges of inscribing or inserting marine or coastal heritage sites into the World Heritage List;
  3. Based upon the results of 1 and 2, make recommendations regarding how UCH may be better integrated into the World Heritage List. 

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for this position through the Koç University application system; the approximate deadline for applications will be May 1, 2024.  One successful candidate for this specific post will begin in the Autumn of 2024, and will receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and possible housing on campus.  Questions about the post may be directed to Dr. Matthew Harpster (mharpster@ku.edu.tr).