The Origins and Ethics of Maritime Archaeology – Part I

Abstract

The ethics of maritime archaeology have been widely discussed, but tend to be couched in terms of the binary opposition between 'archaeologists' and 'treasure-hunters', 'acceptable' and 'unacceptable' behaviour. The reality is inevitably more complex, and all practitioners need to consider their motivations, the site-specific ethics of their work, and their responses – why do we do what we do, how and where do we do it, and what does this say about us both as individuals and a community? Drawing comparisons with archaeological practice in the UK, USA and Australia, this paper considers these issues in reference to the historical development and 'anthropology' of the discipline of maritime archaeology, and the recent growth of interest in 20th century wreck sites, particularly those associated with the two world wars.