Natalia Perez, Advances in Underwater Archaeology

Underwater archaeology serves to understand cultural heritage, artifacts, sites, and objects. It advances with technology, enhancing the ability to locate and study shipwrecks. Shipwrecks are a key element under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. This paper examines how underwater archaeology technologies impact the rights of coastal and flag states to access shipwrecks in maritime zones and to collaborate in preserving underwater cultural heritage. It considers wreck locations, vessel types, and the flag state of archaeological ships. The analysis focuses on warships, which may enjoy sovereign immunity, in contrast to other kinds of shipwrecked vessels. Relevant UNCLOS articles, such as 33, 149, and 303, emphasize the protection of objects at sea and warn against infringing upon another state’s rights when retrieving archaeological finds from the seabed. The change is significant as technology increases access to inaccessible sites. The paper explores side-scan sonar, unmanned surface vehicles, and specific underwater imaging technologies. These technologies enable states to study and access shipwrecks across ocean zones. This chapter examines UNCLOS, the Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention, concerning rights to access wrecks within and beyond national jurisdiction amid growing ocean exploration.