MAF 526 - Marine Cultural Resource Management, Prof. John Gifford

Course Goals:

Historic and prehistoric archaeological sites, including both shipwrecks and inundated land sites, are known to exist on most of the world ocean's continental shelves. Their investigation is the objective of the subfield of archaeology called marine or nautical archaeology. Marine archaeology is related to marine affairs through the question of how these non-renewable cultural resources, analogous in many respects to non-renewable natural resources, are to be optimally managed in the face of increasing human use of the seabed. In this course, a brief introduction to techniques of marine survey and excavation of underwater archaeological sites will provide basis for their consideration as exhaustible resources. Policies and procedures for their protection or mitigation will be studied, using as examples the statutes and regulations of foreign states, the federal government, and US states. Particular attention will be directed to management of marine cultural resources in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean region.

Material:

Week #

1. Course Introduction and mechanics
   Shipwreck Archaeology

2. History of Cultural Resource Management
   History of CRM in the USA, Part II

3. Management of Prehistoric Sites on the Outer Continental Shelf
   Archeological Site Location in the Gulf of Mexico

4. Legal Aspects of Shipwrecks in US Waters
   History of Marine CRM in Florida

5. Review of Current Florida MCRM Situation
   Overview of US state MCRM laws and regulation I
   
6. Overview of US state MCRM laws and regulations II
   History of Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 (ASA '87)

7. Preparation of ASA '87 Guidelines
   ASA '87 details (implementation and legal status)

8. MCRM in the National Marine Sanctuaries
   no class (preparations for LSS fieldwork)

9. no class (breakdown LSS fieldwork)
   MCRM in the FKNMS

10. MCRM in the National Park Service
    MCRM in the Florida Keys NMS
    Outline/synopsis of your library research papers due.

11. The US Army Corps Engineers and MCRM
    Role of Coast Guard in MCRM

12. Survey of International MCRM statutes
    Caribbean Basin MCRM

13. The business of treasure
    Ethics of scientific research in commercial treasure salvage projects
    First section/introduction of your library research papers due.

14. Case studies of shipwrecks in international waters I
    Student oral presentations
    

Library research papers due
FINAL EXAMINATIONS: TBA (LIKELY A TAKE-HOME)

Assignments:

In-Class Presentation, Library Research Paper, Final Exam

Grades:

In-Class Presentation 25%, Library Research Paper 50%, Final Exam 25%

Textbook:

Regional environmental impact statements, case law, state regulations, and contractual documents, and other published articles.