Recently Asimina Porrou from MSDS Marine got to undertake two weeks of continuing professional development training with the the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar. The course was designed to offer early career professionals the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on theoretical and practical skills in underwater archaeology. It was designed to provide participants with advanced skills and training in underwater archaeology knowledge in project planning. In this blog Asimina reflects on the experience and all that she learnt.
My fantastic experience with ICUA in Croatia has come to an end! I have many possible stories to tell, but the best have been my experiences in the field.
From surface to the seafloor, I have profoundly enjoyed every minute of this course, gaining invaluable knowledge on theoretical and practical skills in underwater archaeology. Putting the knowledge and skills together will aid me in my future career, as I am now confident managing and implementing underwater projects. Diving on archaeological sites alongside ICUA, I have learned how to practise underwater survey documentation, documenting in detail the archaeological site, the trenches, and the unique finds, and transferring collected measurements to paper as part of the post-diving process. I can now confidently work with water pumps, dredgers and squids, feel more confident in working with a team underwater. At the same time, I have learnt new underwater photogrammetry skills and learnt how to create 3D models of underwater cultural heritage.
I learned how to prepare the housing for underwater cameras; I gained experience in the post-diving process of photos for making 3D models – skills that I can take with me into any future project. We also had the chance to prepare tools and set points and learn how to apply documentation during aerial photography. I‘ve been overwhelmed by the all I have learnt, but also I felt so lucky and proud to be selected as part of this fabulous team to have this experience.
One of my favourite moments was diving on the Roman shipwreck at the Barbir position in Sukošan, Croatia. The wooden boat is estimated to date from the 1st century and rests at a depth of just two metres. The wreck is remarkably preserved after being buried in sand for 2,000 years. This was my first-time diving on a wooden shipwreck, and the excitement was overblowing; a window to the past was opened to allow a view of life as our ancestors lived it. I learnt to be careful in my diving to ensure I did not to destroy the cultural environment.
During the training I also attended lectures on in situ protection, conservation and restoration of underwater archaeological sites and finds, 2D and 3D documentation on underwater cultural heritage, its post-processing and general underwater archaeology methodology. The theoretical lectures in underwater archaeology also included significant projects and activities in the Dalmatian region. I also had the opportunity to visit the conservation laboratories, where I became familiar with conservation methods and had the chance to see some of the ongoing work in progress. As a maritime archaeologist, I have never been taught conservation methods and this was an interesting insight into what happens after excavation
As well as all then hands-on training in underwater archaeology, we had some free time to explore Croatian culture. Together with the rest of the multi-cultural team, we visited the archaeological Museum of Zadar and the Museum of Ancient Glass, and we had the pleasure of tasting local food with the team from ICUA. Overall, this advanced course taught me so much, connected me with new people and I am confident it will be a massive step in my career. I have now gained a new diving family with whom I can explore the seabed of the Mediterranean.
ICUA had to offer more than the knowledge mentioned above; they gave us a big hug and encouraged us to never give up on maritime archaeology. This makes me realise that the Maritime Archaeology world is small but has many great people!
Thank you all for being so inspiring!
