Surveys and Inventories of Underwater Archaeological Sites

UAB is involved with a wide range of activities that include historical, archival and cartographic research to identify shipwreck losses and develop an understanding of North Carolina's maritime history: remote sensing surveys to locate shipwrecks and other underwater archaeological sites; diver investigations to document the sites; and preservation and analysis of material and information recovered from those underwater sites.

Inherent in this function is the maintenance of both historic and archaeological shipwreck files, the preparation and dissemination of site/survey reports, the operation of an artifact conservation laboratory and curation facility, and the acquisition and maintenance of equipment necessary to conduct underwater archaeological investigations.

Since the salvage of Modern Greece in the 1960's, an event that marks the beginning of underwater archaeology in North Carolina, there has been a steady growth in efforts to document the state's maritime history through underwater research. Today, dozens of professionals and technicians are now employed at the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch, The North Carolina Maritime Museum, The Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and The East Carolina University Program in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology.

An equal number of persons are currently involved in conducting underwater archaeological surveys, site assessments, and excavations for environmental review purposes or under the UAB permit system. The results of these activities can be found in the Bibliography of North Carolina Underwater Archaeology. This document contains report references for all projects designed to locate and/or document the physical remains of man's activities within North Carolina waters.

Major Archaeological Reports

In an effort to disseminate archaeological information regarding North Carolina's submerged sites, the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch is in the process of converting major reports to a digital format for online access. Many of these reports were published in-house or are otherwise difficult to find in hard copy. By using an electronic format these reports can be readily accessed by researchers and others with an interest in our rich underwater heritage.