New Perspectives on Maritime Archaeology

Maritime archaeology, also known as marine archaeology, is a discipline within archaeology that specifically studies human interactions with seas, lakes and rivers. This is done by studying the associated physical remains, such as vessels, shore facilities, port-related structures, cargo, human remains and submerged landscapes. Nautical archaeology is a specialty within maritime archaeology that studies ship building and use. Maritime archaeology can be practised within the historical, industrial or prehistoric periods, as with archaeology as a whole. Maritime archaeological sites often originate from shipwrecks or sometimes seismic activity. Thus, they represent a moment in time rather than a slow deposition of accumulated material over a period of time. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of maritime archaeology. Most of the topics introduced here cover new techniques and the applications of maritime archaeology. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by this book.