Researching, Conserving and Managing Submerged Prehistory: National Approaches and International Collaboration

Abstract

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014.The management and conservation of submerged prehistoric archaeology poses considerable difficulties for national heritage agencies. International collaboration is plainly essential, since submerged landscapes do not respect modern political boundaries. However, national jurisdiction, and hence the extent of agencies’ legal responsibilities, may not extend formally to cover the requisite area. Moreover, the ‘cultures’ of heritage management, even in adjacent nations, can be strikingly different. Nevertheless, within Europe, a common research and management framework for the North Sea has been developed between the Netherlands, UK and Belgium (North Sea prehistory research and management framework (NSPRMF) 2009), and discussions are underway between the UK and French archaeologists. In this chapter, progress in developing coordinated management of offshore prehistoric assets in Europe and elsewhere in the world is reviewed. Consideration is given to the impact of legislative and regulatory frameworks and the benefits of collaborative approaches with marine industrial partners are highlighted. Examples of research and management of submerged prehistory across Europe and North America are considered and a ‘lessons learnt’ exercise highlights the resulting difficulties that can occur when the heritage agencies of adjacent nations begin collaborating over the submerged prehistoric landscapes beneath their seas.