Page 393 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

372 Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook, Second Edition
Whereas CRM is the process of looking after and preserving sites, it does not preclude excavation. On the contrary, in many cases, excavation is an effective management tool. There may be good archaeological reasons why a site should be excavated, but the reasons for any excavation need to be considered within the overall management strategy.
Through the careful integration of archaeological practice, resource management and museum and communication skills, sites can be brought to the attention of the public who can then be made aware of the signifi- cance and importance of the resource. The archaeological process is the method of gathering the information which provides, first, the scientific basis for the work, and then disseminates information for the public and scientific community alike. The public can then become involved and par- ticipate in the management of the resource. There are examples of other programs in which the public have become involved in the decision-making process. One has only to examine the conservation and the green move- ments to be aware that public opinion can reverse strongly held attitudes. The basis of these movements has been to make the public aware of the long-term advantages of protecting resources and to seek public support in reversing existing policies and attitudes that threaten them. In a similar way, the CRM process should be aimed at preserving sites by changing public opinion through management strategies which draw on the continuing archaeological research.
Sections IV, V, and VI will outline the main issues relating to CRM in general, describing the different types of potential resources, and identify- ing the various groups involved in underwater cultural heritage. Section VII will examine means of promoting public interest in, and regulating public access to, the maritime resource and propose a typical management system. Within this section we will also touch upon some of the other concerns of a CRM program by briefly discussing how the location and management of sites operate within the CRM process and the role of education and training.
IV. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ISSUES
One of the most important issues that a CRM program needs to address is how to effect a change in the existing attitudes of looters and those who are not interested in preserving sites and, at the same time, promote the positive attitudes of people who are keen to preserve sites. These matters are discussed in Section VI.
First, there is the need to establish efficient management practices. The practices will provide that the protection of sites be set firmly within gov-