Maritime archaeology isn't only about diving on shipwrecks. Some of the most fascinating traces of our past are hiding in plain sight along the rivers, harbours and beaches we walk past every day. Since European settlement, people have used Sydney's waterways for travel, work, trade and fun. They built wharves, mills, boatsheds and lighthouses, and old ships were sometimes abandoned or sunk on purpose to strengthen riverbanks. Many remains are still there if you know where to look. In this friendly, hands-on course, focusing on European-era sites, you'll learn how to spot, record and understand these clues. We'll look at what maritime archaeology is, the laws that protect maritime heritage in NSW, and the maps, records and strategies you can use to find sites near you. You'll learn how to sketch a simple site plan, record key details and research what you've found. No diving or experience needed, just curiosity and your local knowledge. Share discoveries with fellow learners and leave seeing your own shoreline, and its stories, in a whole new way.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Learn what maritime archaeology is about and some of the techniques you can use.
• Find out about the legislation that protects our maritime heritage and how you can work within it.
• There are lots of ways you can explore what might be in your local area. We'll look at what's around and the different strategies and sources you can use to find it.
• Learn how to map out what you find and record the important details that describe it. 
• How can you find out more about what you've found - what is it, when was it in use and for what? How does it links into the wider landscape? What does it tell you about the past?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Define maritime archaeology
• List the legislation that protects maritime heritage in NSW
• List 5 types of sites you can expect
• Create a simple plan of a site and record the important details about it
• Use a range appropriate sources and strategies to find information about what a site might be
• Give an example of how the characteristics of a site or artefacts can increase your knowledge of the site's past