Call for Applications: Advanced Underwater Archaeology Course 2018
(Deadline for application: 20th April 2018)
1. Introduction
The International Centre for Underwater Archaeology (ICUA), category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO, in Zadar, is organizing Advanced Underwater Archaeology Course. The course will take place in the Zadar area, from 28th May to 2nd June 2018.
The course will consist of theoretical and practical (hands on) instruction in techniques of underwater archaeological excavation, recording, data processing and the use of new technologies in underwater documentation. Archaeologists from the ICUA and guest lecturers will conduct theoretical lessons. Practical instruction will take place in the context of underwater archaeological surveys of ancient shipwrecks in the area surrounding Zadar and will teach participants what it means to be part of an underwater archaeological excavation team.
The course is aimed at archaeologists who have diving experience and at least some basic experience of practical underwater archaeology. It is designed to provide participants with advanced skills and training in underwater archaeology and basic project planning.
2. Participants
The course will accept a maximum of 4 trainees which will be chosen upon the end of application deadline.
Expected profile of participants: archaeologists (including researchers, or university students enrolled in graduate level degrees) with diving experience, who intend to qualify as members of underwater archaeological teams and participate in underwater archaeology researches. Participants must be proficient in English, as it is the working language of the course.
3. Participation costs
Selected applicants will receive free of charge:
- Accommodation (board and lodging) for the duration of the course
- Local transfers to the training sites
- Manual on underwater archaeology
- Rented diving equipment (if needed)
- Insurance against diving accidents and injury
- ICUA certificate of attendance and successful completion of the coursee
- ICUA T-shirt & cap
- Submerged Heritage Magazine
Selected applicants will not receive:
- reimbursement or contributions for their travel to/from Zadar
- any daily allowance or other forms of additional financial support during the course.
4. Tentative Programme
Scheduled activities will include one week course on underwater archaeology. The theoretical part of the course will be held in the classroom of ICUA in Zadar, whereas practical lessons will take place at the ancient shipwrecks in Zadar environs. Transportation to the field work will be done by ICUA boats.
Lectures will be conducted based on the ICUA course curriculum for underwater archaeology. As part of their on-site training, all participants will take part in archaeological excavation of the ancient shipwrecks as members of a team, and will gain practical experience in working with different types of underwater surveillance technology. At the end of the course, participants will receive an official ICUA certificate of successful course completion.
Lectures on underwater archaeology will be conducted every morning from 08:30-10:30.
Mandatory practical exercises in underwater archaeology will be conducted on a daily basis on the following topics:
- Logistical organization of personal and team equipment
- Basic boat operations
- Use of water pump and hoses
- Underwater use of water dredge in a trench excavation
- Underwater photographic documentation of a trench and a site
- Packing, labeling and transport of finds
- Underwater drawn documentation and post-processing of data
- Practical use of Site Recorder computer programme for documenting of the site
- Area survey with use of a boat mounted side scan sonar
Upon completing the course, trainees are expected to have acquired the necessary skills to work independently on any of the tasks covered by the programme.
5. Requirements
- university degree (minimum undergraduate) in archaeology or related fields
- basic scuba diving knowledge (CMAS R1 or equivalent)
- practical experience in underwater archaeology
- a medical certificate ensuring fitness for diving, not older than 1 year
- be at least 18 years old
- experience in archaeology and/or management and preservation of underwater archaeological sites will be considered an asset
6. Application
Applicants should send to ICUA the following documents, no later than 20th April 2018:
- Curriculum Vitae (on Europass CV template)
- copy of the diving card
- valid diving medical certificate
- diving insurance
Applications and accompanying documents must be sent per email in electronic form to ICUA Zadar (to the attention of Mr. Mladen Pešić, mpesic@icua.hr ).
