The Concept of Compromise

by Geof Chapman

The Ivory Tower world of marine archaeologists who refuse to work with the private sector is a model of contradictory logic. While they feign greed as the motive that creates the disparity between professional archaeologists and those who work with the private sector Salvor, there actions are the epitome of greed.

While these precious marine archaeological resources remain exposed to the elements they are in constant peril of being lost to society, the scientific community and archaeology. They will be lost forever to the elements and no one will benefit from their existence. Any effort to prohibit or unnecessarily restrict their recovery is contradictory to the simplest of logic.

This elitist group of academician’s suggests that ownership of a marine artifact is against their principles yet I have never been to an archaeologist home that didn't have artifacts of one kind or another prominently on display! Archaeological and historical articles are bought and sold daily at thousands of antique shops around the world. Coins are collected by numismatists. Furniture owned by historic figures is auctioned every day. Painting, autographs and other historic items of archaeological value are distributed through the free enterprise system with immunity. For some inexplicable form of logic, if any of those items were to get wet, the marine archaeological community would shun any of it's members who dared participate with such a vulgar and unprofessional activity such as selling something for a profit. ( Apparently it's OK to keep it for yourself but what ever you do don't sell it!)

The unfortunate reality of this petty jealousy is an unnecessary adversarial relationship between two entities that have every reason to work together. Life is a compromise! The professional marine archaeological recovery operations that exist today are a far cry from the neophyte salvage efforts of a few years ago. Professional Salvors have recognized the necessity of archaeological and environmentally sound salvage techniques for a long time. The Federal District Courts who preside over maritime salvage require ongoing archaeological reports before adjudication of salvage is made by the Court.

Today's professional marine archaeological recovery operations are self regulated by the most powerful incentive of them all, Profit. Despite popular belief, profit is not a four letter word and remains the sole entity that allows institutions and government to provide archaeological grants for deserving educational programs. Profit in the basis of our society and the free enterprise system is the source of that profit. If the marine archaeological community could take it's head out of the past long enough to look at reality, they might discover that a cooperative relationship with professional Salvors could open a window of opportunity unlike any they have ever seen. More projects, more knowledge and an expanded opportunity for future marine archaeologists would seem like a recipe for mutual benefit to the Salvor, archaeologist and the public trust in one simple step.

The for profit marine archaeological recovery industry is in it's infancy. Modern technology is opening new windows of opportunity on a daily basis. The costs associated with successful operations and the limited number of potentially profitable sites will limit entry into the industry but the only limitation on the quality of the archaeological data recovered on these sites will be governed by those within the archaeological community. Professional marine archaeological recovery operations, long ago, hired marine archaeologists who choose to defy the antiquated and illogical banishment of professionals who cared more about archaeology than self proclaimed egocentric, illusory idealism!

A simple reality check begs this question! Isn't it time for the professional marine archaeological community to become a part of the solution instead of playing the role of martyr in an antiquated debate that has done nothing but stifle professional publication of credible work by qualified and responsible archaeologists?

The private sector is far from perfect but they have made substantial progress in recognizing the importance of archaeology in recovery operations. Differences of opinion are bound to exist but a cooperative effort and a willingness to compromise is the beginning of mutual understanding. The ultimate benefit will be improved knowledge of these unique marine archaeological resources.