Deep Water, Archaeology and Technology Development

Abstract

Over the past decade and a half, archaeology in deep water has been driven by technology available to only a handful of archaeologists. The field has now grown to a point where new tools are needed to address new questions and requirements. This paper addresses the problems inherent in conducting archaeological work in deep water and the new directions in which technology can go in response to these challenges. We describe technological developments over the past thirteen years that have been a result of archaeological expeditions, and their implications for more widespread use. We then pose a series of challenges and potential solutions to the four primary phases of an archaeological project: large area search, target identification, localized survey, and excavation.