How not to strip a monument of its depth?

Everything seems to indicate that the second half of 2020 will be marked by activities conducted remotely. To meet this reality, underwater archaeologists from the University of Warsaw have decided to enrich their educational offer with videoconferenced classes, organised by the Open University, which are open to everyone.

The semester-long online course entitled “A quick guide to preserving underwater cultural heritage. How not to deprive a monument of its depth?” is addressed to everyone interested in underwater archaeology. A candidate for the course does not have to fulfil any additional conditions (like in the case of postgraduate studies): we do not require diving qualifications or a university diploma. All that is required is an interest in the past whose traces can be found in waters all over the world.

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The course aims to raise awareness of the protection of the underwater cultural heritage. The idea behind the course is to provide the participants with both theoretical information (including the legal basis and the most important scientific issues) and more practical information, such as the presentation of methods and techniques of underwater field research and a step-by-step analysis of forms and principles of protection of underwater archaeological sites, based on examples of specific discoveries (made both by researchers and accidental finders). It is the intention of the instructors that upon the completion of the course, each student will be able to react appropriately in situations of threat to the underwater cultural heritage.

There is a ‘first come, first served’ recruitment procedure for Open University courses. All information about the procedures can be found on website. Additional information about the course and tutors can be found at . here. The course includes 30 hours and costs 275 PLN.

On the Underwater Archaeology Expedition fanpage of the Institute (and in a few days the Faculty!) of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw, we will try to publish up-to-date information on how full the list of participants is, but recruitment is the sole responsibility of the Open University of the University of Warsaw, and it is there that we should direct any additional questions concerning formalities related to enrolment.

And we warmly welcome you!

Małgorzata Mileszczyk
Magdalena Nowakowska

^{Photo: Underwater archaeology course as part of postgraduate studies (Vis, Croatia, 2019), photo by Jacek Twardowski}