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Introduction Maritime Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH) Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH) activities and research can combine many approaches and techniques used in archaeology, anthropology, cultural heritage management, marine and material sciences and focuses on many different types of sites and their associated histories (tangible and intangible heritage). The types of sites and objects can range from prehistoric remains found underwater, cave paintings and engravings, shipwrecks, submerged settlements and cities, intact boats, fishing facilities such as fish weirs, aircraft, and land-based maritime facilities. It can also include an investigation of documentary records and/or the inclusion of oral histories (intangible heritage). Underwater sites can be very well preserved—in many cases better preserved than sites on land—and the information they contain may be the only available anywhere in the world. Information collected and interpreted can be helpful in understanding how people lived and how they continue to interact with each other, and with the water (seas, lake and rivers) and the related maritime activities. The dissemination of this information and the management of this heritage is important so future generations can learn from and appreciate their past, and gain some understanding of their cultural identity. This work can also be of value to contemporary communities who continue to utilise their traditional sites and practice their traditional cultural practices. It is also of value to a growing number of tourists who visit these sites and museums, and dive the many thousands of shipwrecks located around the world. Archaeological investigations of underwater sites and the associated histories is a relatively new field, commencing in the 1960s as compared to land-based archaeology which can date back to the 14th century although it is generally considered the current principles and practices of archaeology commenced in the mid 19th century. As such land-based archaeology has yielded a wealth of information on our cultural heritage but the world’s waters still retain many secrets. Developments in diving technology have now made them more accessible for the underwater archaeologist but also vulnerable from those wishing to commercially exploit the sites.
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