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Underwater archaeology

Underwater archaeology

Photo: Underwater archaeology

By

Scarlett Janusas

MyOntario

Published Date: Feb 17, 2017

I’ve always had a passion about archaeology and also about water. I love being on the water and under it. So, what better way to combine the two than by doing underwater archaeology?

Too often, people can’t see what might lie below the surface of the Great Lakes or any of the many other water bodies in Ontario. It is apparent, however, that water was the primary means of transport by early explorers and entrepreneurs into Ontario and the hinterland. Indigenous peoples also valued water as a source of transportation as well as resource exploitation. To ignore this potential resource of archaeological sites would be a tragedy.

Underwater resources include shipwrecks, marine-related infrastructure, dugout canoes, canoe spills, etc. While there are shipwrecks with valuable cargos still waiting to be found, Davy Jones’ locker of knowledge is the real treasure. [Photo courtesy of David Gilchrist]

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain, American author

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