Intro to Underwater Archaeology

We are proud to offer a new Specialty Course: Introduction to Underwater Archaeology, presented by our own Dr. Kira Kaufmann. Kira has her doctorate in Archaeology from UWM, and has put together a specialty course that is going to be very interesting to local wreck divers, artifact hunters, along with any other diver.

The course consists of a classroom discusssion at our Delafield store, followed by two open water dives for certification.

Here is an excerpt from the course outline: "This course covers basic and introductory Underwater Archaeological research techniques with special emphasis on practical training. To conduct an Introduction to Underwater Archaeology Diver course, the following is to be included:

1.History of the discipline of Underwater Archaeology (people, underwater sites [prehistoric, historic, and shipwrecks], and equipment).

2.The research questions, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards, ethics, and laws pertaining to diving on Underwater Archaeological sites.

3.Overview of the physical aspects (water movement, bottom composition, and temperature) and site formation processes (sedimentation, burial, and settling) of both prehistoric and historic underwater sites.

4.An overview of the prehistoric, historic, or maritime history of the region and of the specific dive site for training.

5.Introduction to Underwater Archaeological methods and techniques (use of measuring, documentation slates, photography, mapping) such as those used in identification and survey of underwater cultural resources."

So you can see this is going to be valuable to underwater researchers of all types.