This lecture was recorded.
Presenter: Stephen Atkinson, Assistant State Archaeologist, OSA Underwater Archaeology Branch
Join Stephen Atkinson, Assistant State Archaeologist, as he explores the history behind the many beached shipwrecks that dot the North Carolina coastline. Learn the stories that tell us how they wrecked and the work done today to preserve their presence for future generations.
The North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch’s beach wreck tagging program adopts the scuba-centric mantra of “take only pictures, leave only bubbles” (or in this case, footprints!) and is intended to instill the notion of public stewardship of local archaeological sites! Discover the Underwater Archaeology Branch’s past efforts in beach wreck cataloging, what they’ve been up to recently, and where their successful statewide partnerships will take them in the future.
Partnering since 1975, NOAA and the state of North Carolina work to research, honor, and protect the hallmarks of North Carolina’s underwater cultural heritage: shipwrecks. From violent storms and dangerous shoals to world wars, the waters off North Carolina have claimed thousands of ships and lives over hundreds of years. These shipwrecks hold information about the ever-changing technologies and cultural and physical landscapes. They serve as a uniquely accessible underwater museum and a memorial to generations of mariners who lived, died, worked, and fought off our shores.