Understanding Public Perceptions Of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Summary

Today, in the UK at least, it is generally acknowledged by heritage and archaeological organisations that public attitudes toward the underwater cultural heritage have changed for the better. Can this assumption be supported by evidence and if so, what have been the main factors? Has the change been due to the impact of the public archaeology initiatives that for over 25 years have raised awareness, or have other drivers such as the media played their part in shaping today’s public attitudes? This paper will present the results of a research project that aims to answer these questions, which includes the analysis of two surveys. One sought the views of heritage professionals and archaeologists about public archaeology, with a second for avocational archaeologists and recreational divers that aimed at gaining an insight into their views on important issues such preservation in situ, protection and public access to underwater heritage sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Law and Order: Protecting, Studying and Sharing Underwater Cultural Heritage   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-72,02