Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice
The Nautical Archaeology Society has been a champion of best
practice in archaeology under water for over two decades. By
outlining the principles and providing practical guidance, this
book will enable readers to make the most of their involvement
with the rich underwater cultural heritage that helped shape the
world in which we live - and to do so in a responsible way.
Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and
Practice is comprehensive and authoritative. It contains
extensive advice and information, including how to get involved,
basic principles, essential techniques and approaches, project
planning and execution, and publishing and presenting
results.
Ever since the original invaluable NAS Handbook went out of
print some years ago, an update has been eagerly awaited. Fully
illustrated with over 100 drawings and new colour graphics, this
new edition includes additional chapters on geophysics,
historical research, photography and video, monitoring and
maintenance, and conservation.
The Society has also taken the opportunity to ensure that the
structure and content of this handbook is mirrored by the courses
in its widely acclaimed, internationally recognised training
programme in nautical archaeology, thereby enhancing the value of
both.
Why it was written?
The original Archaeology Underwater: The NAS Guide to
Principles and Practice was first published in 1992. It was
commissioned to help address a scarcity of information about "how
to undertake archaeological work underwater while maintaining
acceptable standards" (Dean et al, 1992:2).
As well as explaining fundamental archaeological principles,
this book provides a general introduction to archaeology under
water, detailing techniques and practices as they are applied in
an underwater context. It provides the tools appropriate to
tackle a variety of sites, in different environments and
emphasises that archaeology is not just a set of techniques - it
is shaped by fundamental principles and theoretical parameters.
While this book is a comprehensive source of practical
information, it is not a complete reference book and will not
transform the reader into an underwater archaeologist. It aims to
provide an awareness of the responsibilities that go with any
form of fieldwork while outlining what is involved in achieving
an acceptable standard of archaeological work in what can often
be a challenging physical environment.
In the intervening years since the publication of the first
edition, while the basic principles have remained the same,
technological developments have resulted in new and improved
archaeological techniques. Meanwhile, the World Wide Web and
satellite television have helped take underwater archaeology into
peoples' homes, feeding what appears to be an insatiable public
appetite for all things associated with the past. In addition,
links between countries with different approaches to
archaeological investigation have strengthened and as a result
the toolbox of techniques for archaeological work under water has
grown.
In the light of such developments, an update to the text and
graphics of the original book seems timely. The result is this
long-awaited second edition of what is popularly referred to as
'The NAS Handbook'.
The body that eventually became the Nautical Archaeology
Society (NAS) was originally incorporated and registered as a
charity in 1972 under the name (The) Nautical Archaeology Trust
Limited. The Trust was reconstituted in 1986 as the Nautical
Archaeology Society, mainly to oversee the production of the
International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (IJNA), whose first
volume had been published in 1971, and more generally to further
research. The Society is committed to the research, conservation
and preservation of maritime cultural heritage. The NAS is based
in the United Kingdom but has a significant international
profile. Membership is made up of a wide range of people who wish
to promote and be involved in the preservation of their coastal
and underwater heritage, in its broadest sense.
This second edition: Underwater Archaeology, introduces
several new chapters such as Photography, Legislation and
Conservation. Additional chapters reflect significant
developments or new approaches particularly with respect to
Project Planning, Safety on Archaeological Sites, Historical
Research, Monitoring and Maintenance and Geophysics.
Each individual component of this book was written by someone
who is an expert in his/her field. The production of this second
edition has been a long iterative process involving many people,
most of them members of the Nautical Archaeology Society. Text
from the original book has been modified, supplemented and, where
appropriate, replaced. This book therefore owes its existence to
everybody involved in the production of this and all previous
versions (please see list of contributors at beginning of book).
The NAS would like to acknowledge all contributors with grateful
thanks.
The Nautical Archaeology Society would like to introduce the
reader to the real underwater treasure - a rich cultural heritage
that has helped shape the world in which we live today. By
outlining the principles and practices of maritime archaeology,
this book will enable people to make informed and responsible
decisions about how to get the most from their involvement with
maritime archaeology above or under water.
Contributing Authors
Jonathan Adams, BA DPhil FSA MIFA (University of
Southampton)
Marc-André Bernier, BA MA (Parks Canada)
Lucy Blue, BA DPhil (University of Southampton)
Amanda Bowens, BA MA
Martin Dean, BSc MIFA (Hon) FSA (University of St Andrews)
Justin Dix, BSc PhD (University of Southampton)
Joe Flatman, MA PhD PIFA (University College London)
Craig Forrest, B.Comm LLB LLM PGCE PhD (University of
Queensland)
Damian Goodburn, BA PhD AIFA (Museum of London)
Alexzandra Hildred, BA MIFA FSA (Mary Rose Trust)
Peter Holt (3H Consulting Ltd)
Kester Keighley, MSc
Stuart Leather, MSc (Wessex Archaeology)
Gordon Le Pard, BSc (Dorset County Council)
Colin Martin, PhD FRHistS FSA Scot MIFA MAAIS (University of St
Andrews)
Paula Martin, BA Dip Class Arch PhD FSA Scot MIFA (NAS)
Douglas McElvogue, PhD MIFA FSA Scot (University of Sussex)
Seán McGrail, FSA MA PhD DSc MIFA Master Mariner
(University of Southampton)
Gustav Milne, MPhil FSA (University College London)
David Parham, BA MSc MIFA RPA (Bournemouth University)
Leslie Perkins McKewan, MSc PIFA
Rory Quinn, PhD (University of Coleraine)
Julie Satchell, BA MA MIFA (Hampshire & Wight Trust for
Maritime Archaeology)
Graham Scott, AIFA (Wessex Archaeology)
Amanda Sutherland, BSc ACR
Christopher Underwood, BEd MA (University of Buenos Aires)
Steve Waring, BSc
Michael Williams, LLB (University of Wolverhampton)
What do the experts think?
"An essential vade mecum for anyone interested in archaeology
under water, whether aspiring fieldworker or armchair enthusiast.
This book distills a generation of practical experience in a
concise and user-friendly form."
Colin Martin,
University of St Andrews
"This long-awaited update of the NAS handbook is a gold mine
of practical advice. It is a must-have, must-read and must-reread
for everyone practicing nautical archaeology"
George Lambrick,
Chair Nautical Archaeology Society
"Indispensable for anyone in underwater archaeology. Even the
most experienced will find much of value in it. How I wish it had
been available when I began half a century ago!"
George Bass,
Texas A&M University
Order information
If you are booked onto a NAS Part I Course, pre-order your copy of the Handbook and receive a 10% discount on the members price! All orders will be received on the day of the course.
Paperback - Members £19.99 / Non-members £24.99
Limited Edition Hardback - Members £50.00 / Non-members £60.00
For more information or to
order contact the NAS Office.
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