Nautical Archaeology is a profession combining traditional fields and extensive practical experience. Anthropology, history, archaeology, geography and related sciences provide the theoretical and practical methodology with which maritime sites are found, tested and interpreted. At ECU, students are expected to be well versed in underwater archaeology’s theoretical methodology as well as its practical applications. Consequently, the field’s history, past theoretical approaches, and scientific inquiry are integrated with maritime themes. The class includes seminars with topical presentations and student-led discussions
Topics covered, include:
- Introduction: What is archaeology/what is maritime archaeology?
- What is theory ?
- Antiquarianism
- Culture history
- Early processualism
- The New Archaeology
- Postprocessualism
- Marxist archaeologies
- Archaeology, gender and identity
- Evolutionary archaeologies
- Archaeology and History
- Archaeology lies!
- The development of diving
- Early maritime archaeology
- The birth of maritime archaeology
- Studies in maritime site formation
- Maritime material culture studies
- Studies in nautical archaeology
- Comparative & thematic studies
- Studies of landscape
- Reality Check: Theory in maritime archaeology careers