ECORP’s archaeologist, Arik J. K. Bord, RPA, assisted in the preparation of a statewide guidance document that helps establish standards and procedures for underwater cultural resource investigations in California. Arik was a team member on the Maritime Archaeological Committee of the California Society for Archaeology (SCA) who prepared the document. The guidance document was featured as a poster presentation at the SCA annual conference in Palm Springs in March.
As sea levels rise due to climate change, the need for standardized best-practices for underwater archaeology will become ever more relevant. Additionally, continued offshore development, such as the several proposed offshore wind farm projects off the coast of California will require consistent, practical standards for maritime and underwater archaeology professionals, agencies, tribal governments, and project stakeholders.
The guidance document addresses the unique challenges that submerged cultural heritage presents, including underwater mapping, preservation of waterlogged materials, lowered visibility and physical hazards associated with underwater environments, both in the ocean as well as rivers and lakes. The document also addressed agency jurisdictional issues, permitting requirements, minimum qualification standards for cultural resources professionals engaged in submerged projects, pre-field research, safety planning, and tribal engagement. The document also provides suggestions for remote sensing and diver survey methodologies, and standards for mapping and GIS documentation.
Arik co-authored the mapping and survey methods sections of the document, bringing his in-depth knowledge of GIS, photogrammetric 3D modelling, and remote sensing technologies and methods to develop a set of standards to advise underwater cultural resource professionals and help direct project planning.
The guidance document is available here: https://www.scahome.org/Underwater-Archeaology-Guidance-Documents
