Working with Avocational Archaeologists to Advance Underwater Archaeology: Putting the “Vocation” in Avocational Archaeology

By Kendra Kennedy, ACUA Board Member

Vocation: a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career (Dictionary.com)

When people learn that I am an underwater archaeologist, the response varies from enthusiastic excitement to serious skepticism. From “I wanted to do that as a kid!” to “You do what? That’s a real job?” Whatever they say, it always reminds me how lucky I am to have a career in this field! Most underwater archaeologists, and archaeologists in general, did not enter this field for fortune or stability or even regular hours. We became archaeologists because we simply love the science of archaeology – the fieldwork, the research, the writing, the chance to share our knowledge of the past with our peers, our students, our communities. We are so passionate and enthusiastic about maritime archaeology, we would find ways to participate in our spare time if we were not lucky enough to make a living out of it. Maritime archaeology is more than a career, it’s a vocation.

In truth, there are many people who DO spend their spare time practicing underwater archaeology! They are avocational archaeologists, citizen scientists, who love diving, who love researching, who love shipwrecks and other submerged sites, who love contributing to underwater archaeology and maritime history in many ways. Maritime archaeology is as much their calling as it is mine. Based on my experience over the past decade and a half, our field is beyond fortunate to have the assistance of these passionate individuals and groups. The ACUA recognizes their value and actively works to invite representatives of avocational underwater archaeology groups to participate in the organization as Associate Members. Currently, the ACUA includes Associate Members from several avocational archaeology groups, including the Institute of Maritime History (IMH), Diving With a Purpose (DWP), and the Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society (MAHS).

Avocational underwater archaeologists have contributed significantly to our discipline, but this may not be readily known by graduate students and new professionals in the field of archaeology. After all, if you’ve participated in field schools and projects with numerous fellow graduate students, you may never have considered how to conduct safe and effective diving fieldwork with a team of two – or even one! When it comes to academic departments, state archaeology programs, state agencies, and nonprofit history organizations, a staff boasting more than one or two maritime archaeologists is a rare find indeed. In many states, there is no formal underwater archaeology program or department of any kind; this reality is unlikely to change anytime soon. Enter avocational archaeology groups and volunteers!

I have been involved with avocational underwater archaeology groups in one way or another since 2010 when I worked at the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). There, I met members of the IMH and MAHS and presented at a MAHS monthly meeting. But I wasn’t fortunate enough to dive with either group. A few years later, I started working for the Ohio SHPO at the Ohio History Connection (OHC) in Columbus as a compliance reviewer – still no maritime archaeology in sight. I knew I wanted to get back to diving on shipwrecks and doing more of the archaeology I love. Through my colleague, OHC Curator of Archaeology Linda Pansing, I learned about the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST). As a co-founder of MAST, Linda put me in touch with current MAST coordinator, Carrie Sowden of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. I attended a MAST Nautical Archaeology Workshop and began diving with avocational archaeologists on shipwrecks in Lake Erie. When fellow MAST members asked me to serve a term on the MAST Board of Directors, I gladly accepted.

While in Ohio, I also met and dived with enthusiastic members of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), founded by David VanZandt (1953-2024; Rest in Peace) and Kevin Magee. I later learned about the Pennsylvania Archaeology Shipwreck Survey Team (PASST), aided by Dr. Ben Ford, that does similar work next door in Pennsylvania. I was thrilled to witness skilled underwater archaeology being conducted in Lake Erie by avocational archaeologists. In two states that have no formal maritime archaeology programs, MAST, CLUE, and PASST were and are leading the charge to record shipwrecks, promote responsible visitation of submerged archaeological sites, and highlight Lake Erie’s significant maritime archaeology and history.

My experience with MAST convinced me that working with avocational archaeology groups was both a way to contribute to the discipline, even if my archaeology day job did not involve maritime heritage, and an important means of reaching out to the diving public, offering my assistance, and learning from avocational archaeologists with deep knowledge of maritime heritage in their regions. After accepting a position at Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, I immediately sought out information on similar groups in Illinois and was fortunate to find the Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago (UASC). I joined the group, attended meetings, and soon began recording shipwrecks in Lake Michigan. Although the initial reception by UASC members was guarded (they didn’t know me!), they heard from MAST colleagues that I was there to listen, learn, help, and contribute. I was honored when UASC appointed me as the group’s Archaeological Advisor and have been pleased to work with the group to strengthen communication with the Illinois SHPO, apply for grants to conduct additional work, and continue to record shipwrecks in Lake Michigan.

Since joining the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) as a maritime archaeologist, I have witnessed even more evidence of the importance of working with avocational archaeologists. Every year during the Midwest’s short field season, WHS works extensively with volunteers from the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA), the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS) of Minnesota, UASC, and others to conduct extensive maritime archaeology in Lakes Superior and Michigan. Wisconsin is extremely fortunate to have the assistance of our volunteers, without whom our program simply could not complete the amount of work we do (90 shipwrecks listed on the National Register of Historic Places and counting)! And these groups are themselves producing work that is revolutionizing underwater archaeology in the Great Lakes and beyond. GLSPS’s 3D Shipwrecks project (3DShipwrecks.org) aims to create a 3D Model of every Great Lakes shipwreck. An ambitious goal, for sure, but with over 280 models currently online and viewable, GLSPS has already made significant contributions to the discipline.

Professional underwater archaeologists know the importance of public outreach and making our work accessible. But there is often less emphasis on working with and as members of avocational underwater archaeology groups. I once overheard a graduate student complain that joining an avocational archaeology group would make them appear less professional. Nothing could be less true. Maritime archaeology graduate students and professionals should welcome opportunities to work with and as part of avocational underwater archaeology groups. Working with these groups offers professionals occasions for public outreach, but also opportunities to gain experience, acquire new skills, and learn about maritime archaeology and history from passionate individuals whose knowledge of local and regional maritime heritage may significantly surpass their own.

Strong relationships between professional and avocational archaeologists characterized by mutual trust may also result in quicker reporting to state agencies of new sites or negative impacts to known sites. And for those whose calling is maritime archaeology and history – even if they work day-to-day as engineers, IT specialists, small business owners, GIS practitioners, technical editors, and more – avocational underwater archaeology groups offer the chance to contribute to a field of study about which they are passionate. So get out there, whether you’re a professional archaeologist or a maritime heritage enthusiast, find your local maritime archaeology organization, and make a difference in your profession, in your community, and to the study of maritime archaeology and history!

Categorised in: Deep Thoughts

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