Merging Museums with the Classroom: Using Collections to Teach Maritime Archaeology
Although there is a growing interest in studying maritime archaeology even at the undergraduate level, it can be a challenge to bring to life for non-divers both the mechanics of an archaeological investigation, but also the joy of discovery and satisfaction of identification of a wreck site. This paper will describe possible alternative methods of recreating that entire process through the use of museum collections. In particular, I will discuss a project undertaken by undergraduates at Harvard University in partnership with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Students were required to choose a ship model from the museum’s collections and, with very minimal initial information, had to research its historical background and construction techniques, treating it as an archaeologist would a shipwreck site. This paper will introduce the benefits and challenges to both the students and the museums in using this type of approach.
Michelle Damian
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
11/24/2017
Michelle Damian
Forgotten Past? Alternative Forms for Museological Approach to interpret Egypt's Maritime Heritage
In the past decades, Ministry of Antiquities (MA) has invested many efforts in excavating underwater archeological sites, and mapping them to reveal the navigation routes during ancient times. Remarkable discoveries have been made by the European Institute of Underwater Archeology (IEASM) as well as others archeological projects on Egypt's coasts. Despite this wealth of Egypt's maritime history and intellectual resources, it lacks a Maritime Museum till present or even an exhibition gallery dedicated to elucidate maritime' legacies to the local community. It also lacks a special legal placement for Maritime cultural heritage with scientific management principles oriented towards interconnects the society, local governing authorities and museums professionals with cultural purposes to promote and preserve Maritime History of Egypt. Maximizing awareness is the key element to preserve and publish the Maritime Heritage. So, How to make it accessible to the public? How to foster this richness past in the minds of young generations? This paper presents approachable alternative forms to ensure effective engagement with the public and develop new strategies for sustainable future of Egypt's UCH.
Nevine Nizar Zakaria
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
11/24/2017
Nevine Nizar Zakaria
PRIISMH project: A Case Study of Community Involvement and Museum Collaboration on Maritime Cultural Heritage around Rottnest Island (Perth, Western Australia)
The Program for the Rottnest Island Interpretation of Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage (PRIISMH) project is a community-based initiative conducted under the aegis of the Maritime Archaeology Association of Western Australia (MAAWA), in collaboration with the Western Australian Museum (WAM), the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), Tempus Archaeology, and Shipwreck Data, with sponsorship provided by the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS 2016-2017) from the Australian National Maritime Museum. The main objective of the PRIISMH project was to enhance the presentation of Rottnest Island maritime cultural heritage through the use of new and innovative forms of interpretation involving terrestrial and underwater 3D Photogrammetry as a key element in for public engagement.
Specifically, the project was initially developed to address issues identified in a recent condition report on the Rottnest Onshore Shipwreck Plaques (MAAWA, 2015), relating to existing interpretive signage on the island. As a consequence, MAAWA and RIA identified as a priority the need to update existing land-based shipwreck signage (currently over thirty years old) in order to address potential health and safety issues, to improve overall visitor experience, and to improve public accessibility to the Rottnest Island underwater shipwreck heritage.
The project represents a new stage in an on-going long-term program of site documentation, management and interpretation within the broad Perth region, initiated by MAAWA in 2014 under the aegis of the Three-Dimensional (3D) Maritime Archaeology Project – Perth Region (3DMAPRR, Edwards et al. 2016). The structure and nature of the project also allowed it to be connected to another MAAWA earlier initiative (2013), namely the ‘Shipwrecks WA’ website and app platform to expand the audience outreach.
Nicolas Bigourdan
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
11/24/2017
Nicolas Bigourdan
Antiquities Homecoming:An Experience of Rescue Team of Cultural Relics
Through five thousand years of Chinese culture, thereare as many ancient cultural relics as there are stars in the night sky. Much like stars, these artefacts are scattered all over the world. For this reason, we established a small antiquity public welfare organization. In this article, we will introduce some details around working in this department and explore our user experience. Some of these activites include; looking for ancient cultural relics, finding ancient cultural relics, identifying ancient cultural relics, and contacting a descendant of ancient cultural relics, and negotiating with the sellers;with the ultimate goal of sending the antiquities back to their home. We felt the sacred sense of mission by bringing antiquities home. We also began to realize the public welfare and the value of the historical relics are common to people all over the world. At present, the problem of the antiquities coming home is emerging in the various rescue operations once again. In particular, as the nation becomes generally wealthier, there is an increase in the number of transactions to acquire ancient cultural relics to obtain profits. In addition, historically, overseas organizations and foreign funding agencies have been acquiring Chinese ancient cultural relics strategically. Because of this, bringing the ancient cultural relics back to their hometown or museum, or returning them to their descendants has become even more difficult. Therefore, our team has decided to create and manage the ancient cultural relic’s rescue and homecoming project. Through which, we will advocate that the ancient cultural relic’s protection and public
welfare for ancient cultural relics is paramount. We will do our best to return these ancient cultural relics back to their hometown, and let the ancient cultural relics engage and influence the public.
Tsai, Cheng Chung
Shuhan Guo
Yuping Zhan
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
11/24/2017
Tsai, Cheng Chung
Shuhan Guo
Yuping Zhan
Session 4 Introduction Video
Dr. Michelle Damian introduces Session 4.
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
11/28/2017
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology