Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology

In Memory

There is no question that the past 12 months have been challenging and stressful. To quote Kendra Kennedy in her recent post “it has also been a time of significant reflection – on life and death…” This reflection likely included a deeper appreciation for those who are important in our personal and professional lives and who have mentored, supported, and encouraged us. In a period of only a month, beginning on March 2, 2021, our close knit, but international, community of underwater archaeologists have lost pioneers and significant mentors in our field: George Bass, Thijs Maarleveld, Patrice Pomey, and Simon Keay. The members of the ACUA express our deepest condolences to their families and colleagues for these incalculable losses. We have memorial tributes to Dr. Bass and Professor Maarleveld and hope to have tributes in the near future to Dr. Pomey, renowned for his work in France, and Dr. Keay, a much admired professor at the University of Southampton, England.

Recent Deep Thoughts

Be the Match that Ignites the Wood

Sarah Holland speaks eloquently and personally about the value of mentoring, for both the mentor and mentee.

In Memory of Thijs Maarleveld

Professor Thijs Maarleveld was a pioneer in underwater archaeology in the Netherlands, one of the founders and former president of ICUCH, and an untiring advocate for the protection of UCH.

Core Principles

Ethics, respect, diversity and equity are the core principles around which we should all strive to lead our professional and personal lives. The ACUA strongly encourages all professional organizations to promote ethical principles, non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-racist policies among their memberships.

Vision Statement

The ACUA serves as an international advisory body on issues relating to underwater archaeology, conservation, and submerged cultural resources management. It is working to educate scholars, governments, sport divers, and the general public about underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater resources.