Journal of Coastal Zone Management

The Significance of Marine Archaeology

Ana Pedro^{* 1}Department of Ecology and Environmental Changes, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
^*Correspondence: Ana Pedro, Department of Ecology and Environmental Changes, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal, Email:

Received: 06-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. JCZM-22-17687; Editor assigned: 11-Jul-2022, Pre QC No. JCZM-22-17687 (PQ); Reviewed: 25-Jul-2022, QC No. JCZM-22-17687; Revised: 01-Aug-2022, Manuscript No. JCZM-22-17687 (R); Published: 08-Aug-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2473-3350.22.25.510

Description

Marine archaeology, also referred to as maritime archaeology, is a branch of archaeology that focuses on the study of human interaction with the sea, lakes, and rivers through the analysis of associated physical remains, such as ships, shore-side structures, structures related to ports, cargoes, human remains, and submerged landscapes. Nautical archaeology is a subfield of maritime archaeology that focuses on the design and operation of ships. Others favour an all-encompassing strategy, emphasising that maritime activity has economic and social relations to populations on land and that archaeology is archaeology regardless of the location of the investigation. The only thing needed is the ability to master abilities particular to the place where the task is done.

Due to its focus on the more general characteristics of the oceans and seas, marine archaeology is a fairly broad field. It is also vital to highlight that the task of a marine archaeologist becomes more greater because protecting the objects that are deeply buried in the ocean bed is also crucial. Marine archaeology offers as a programme in archaeology the excavation of human remains and civilisations that have been submerged underwater for many hundreds of years, in addition to the removal of ships and other objects from the ocean floor.

The key factor making maritime archaeology a distinct field of study is the sheer number of possibilities available within an archaeology degree. As with the land-based archaeology programme, marine archaeology entails travelling to far-flung locales to unearth incredible constructions and marvels. The sole distinction between the two is that marine archaeology will involve exploring remote underwater environments, providing the archaeologist with fulfilment of a whole other kind.

It is important to realise that there are a number of things that could impede a marine archaeologist from carrying out his archaeology programme underwater when it comes to marine archaeology. The practise of maritime archaeology may be harmed by natural phenomena like underwater earthquakes or, in some situations, by marine animals like sharks. Because of this, a marine archaeologist must exercise extreme caution when attempting to uncover a priceless object that is submerged underwater. Because if a marine archaeologist is careless, it could result in a loss that would be a loss to both the present and the future generations.

Only a marine archaeologist can handle ships that have been underwater for decades or centuries with the expertise required. Since wood has typically been used in the construction of such naval boats, it is crucial that a marine archaeologist exercise extreme caution and precaution when excavating and restoring the naval vessel to prevent further harm. Sea animals will rapidly consume organic material, such as timber shipwrecks, while saltwater is extremely harmful to iron artefacts, including metal shipwrecks. On the other hand, despite the fact that such natural processes have destroyed or severely damaged thousands of prospective archaeological sites, some of them have managed to preserve an exceptional number of connected items. In this case, survival is largely attributable to the remains being buried in the sediment.

Marine archaeology covers every area of the ocean floor when it comes to excavation and discovering significant information and features. Given that this is the case and that water transportation is one of the oldest methods of moving both people and goods, it is important to comprehend the importance of marine archaeology. Marine archaeology is not only fascinating and appealing as a field of study, but it is also a career of the utmost importance and value.