Page 14 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

Preface
As with the first edition, the second edition of Maritime Archaeology, A Technical Handbook is intended as a guide and reference book for persons working in the field of maritime archaeology. As this is a technical hand- book, the original concentration on technical matters has been maintained. However, since the first edition, many issues and emphases have changed and I have tried to incorporate these changes into the book as best as pos- sible. As a result the second edition is almost twice as long as the first, even though some of the original parts have been excised from the work because they are no longer relevant.
This book is not meant to be a passport to become an instant maritime archaeologist. Rather, it is an aid or guide for those interested or involved in the field. The book is divided into five broad areas: searching for sites; recording sites; excavation; management; and study, research, and publica- tion. I have tried to cover all the main subjects involved within these areas. It is interesting that in the last 10 years, methods of recording have become much more technical and, in many cases, much easier for the archaeologist. Although this technical handbook deals mainly with shipwreck archaeol- ogy, there is no reason why the techniques cannot be applied to other forms of cultural heritage underwater (or in some cases on land). There is no dif- ferentiation on approaches to sites of different ages; this, for a technical handbook, is irrelevant, since the archaeological methodology does not change simply because one site is very old and another modern.
The future of the field of maritime archaeology today is far more certain than it was in 1990. It still faces challenges in a number of areas, particu- larly the complex problem of legislation related to the protection of sites. The UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage will have an enormous impact on the attitudes and perceptions of governments to trea- sure hunting and cultural heritage management. There is also the need to encourage public support for this work. Cultural tourism and public
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