The Nautical Archaeology Society

The Nautical Archaeology Society
Name	The Nautical Archaeology Society
Formation	1986
Type	Charity; Learned society
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Region served	International

The Nautical Archaeology Society is a United Kingdom–based learned society and charity dedicated to the study, protection, and promotion of maritime cultural heritage. Founded in the mid-1980s, it operates across the British Isles and internationally, working alongside museums, universities, heritage agencies, and diving organisations to advance nautical archaeology practice. Its work connects practical fieldwork with academic research, public outreach, and policy engagement in maritime heritage contexts.

History

The organisation emerged during a period of rising public interest in underwater heritage, influenced by figures and events such as Jacques Cousteau, Mel Fisher, Mary Rose, Antikythera mechanism, Vasa (ship), Batavia (ship), and the development of legislation like the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Early collaborations involved institutions such as the Council for British Archaeology, British Museum, National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom), English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw, and Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Internationally, relationships formed with entities including UNESCO, ICOMOS, World Archaeological Congress, Society for Historical Archaeology, Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago, Florida Division of Historical Resources, and the Australian National Maritime Museum. Field projects referenced shipwrecks and sites connected to HMS Victory (1744), HMS Victory (1765), HMS Hood, HMS Ark Royal, SS Richard Montgomery, and Mediterranean wrecks such as Uluburun wreck and Cape Gelidonya. The society’s early decades intersected with professional debates involving scholars like George Bass, C.N. French, Margaret Rule, and Paul Randolph. Over time it expanded training, accreditation, and publication efforts alongside partners including the University of Southampton, University of St Andrews, University of Oxford, University of Leicester, University of Birmingham, University of Plymouth, and University College London.

Mission and Objectives

The organisation’s objectives emphasize practical conservation and community participation, aligning with international instruments and bodies such as UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, ICOMOS Charter, European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe (Valletta Treaty), and norms promoted by Historic England, Cadw, Historic Environment Scotland, and Parks Canada. It seeks to promote best practice drawn from case studies like HMS Victory (1744), Mary Rose, Vasa (ship), Batavia (ship), and SS Yongala; to support professional standards referenced by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and Society for Historical Archaeology; and to foster community engagement models exemplified by Amphora wrecks of the Black Sea, Pompeii, and coastal heritage initiatives in regions including Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Norfolk, and the Channel Islands.

Activities and Programs

Activities combine fieldwork, maritime survey, public outreach, and conservation. Programmatic collaborations have connected with museum exhibitions such as those at the National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom), Mary Rose Museum, Vasa Museum, and Australian National Maritime Museum, and with research projects at universities including University of Southampton, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter, University of Liverpool, University of Portsmouth, Swansea University, Queen’s University Belfast, and Trinity College Dublin. The society runs community archaeology projects akin to those led by Time Team, engages in citizen science initiatives paralleling iNaturalist and Citizen Science Association efforts, and supports nautical heritage events like Maritime Greenwich Festival, Cowes Week, Festival of Archaeology, and international conferences such as the International Congress on Underwater Archaeology and Society for Historical Archaeology Conference. Fieldwork often addresses wrecks and sites related to Age of Discovery, Spanish Armada, Napoleonic Wars, Atlantic convoys, Viking ships, and Mediterranean trade routes exemplified by finds like the Antikythera mechanism.

Training and Accreditation

The organisation provides structured training and accreditation for surveyors, divers, and non-diving researchers, modeled on professional frameworks used by bodies like the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, British Sub-Aqua Club, Diver Certification Board of South Africa, Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques, and academic certificate programs at University of Southampton and University of St Andrews. Courses cover underwater survey techniques, recording akin to methodologies in publications from Nautical Archaeology (journal), conservation protocols practiced at Mary Rose Museum and National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom), and digital methods reflected in initiatives from Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland. Accreditation pathways mirror sector standards upheld by Museums Association (UK), Institute of Field Archaeologists, and international best practice promoted by UNESCO and ICOMOS.

Publications and Research

The organisation publishes handbooks, guidance notes, training manuals, and periodicals which contribute to the evidence base alongside journals such as International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Antiquity (journal), Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Mariner's Mirror, and International Journal of Historical Archaeology. Research outputs have informed conservation case studies on wrecks like Mary Rose, Vasa (ship), Batavia (ship), Uluburun wreck, and modern wrecks such as SS Richard Montgomery, and have interfaced with large-scale projects supported by bodies including the Arts and Humanities Research Council, European Commission, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, and international research networks exemplified by HeriQ and SeaChange. Publications address legal and ethical issues connected to conventions such as the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and national policies from Historic England, Cadw, and Parks Canada.

Governance and Funding

Governance follows charity and nonprofit models similar to those of National Trust (United Kingdom), Royal Society, Society of Antiquaries of London, and Council for British Archaeology, with a board of trustees, advisory panels, and professional staff. Funding sources include membership subscriptions, project grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, research councils such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, donations from trusts like the Pilgrim Trust and Wolfson Foundation, commercial services, and partnerships with museums including the National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom), Mary Rose Museum, Vasa Museum, and university departments at University of Southampton and University of Oxford. International collaborations and grants have involved the European Commission, UNESCO, and bilateral cultural bodies such as British Council.

Category:Archaeological organizations Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom