Wet Wet Wet – Maritime archaeology skills training
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2016-09-02

In 1986 the Nautical Archaeology Society pioneered a training scheme in nautical archaeology. Coming out of the Mary Rose excavation (which ended in 1982) when the majority of the “diggers” were volunteer amateur SCUBA divers, the scheme initially concentrated on skilling up a workforce of recreational divers to assist with underwater archaeological projects around the country.
Thirty years on, the NAS Education Programme has evolved into a different animal, now looking to provide opportunities for everyone to participate in archaeology – whether that participation is in the archives, at a desk, working underwater or on the foreshore. Whilst participation underpins the NAS ethos of “protection via public education” the structured Education Programme has also tried to support the professional archaeology sector by highlighting how the skills and knowledge acquired via its courses support the National Occupation Standards for Archaeological Practice and the requirements of the NVQ in Archaeological Practice.
This paper will highlight what the NAS Education Programme incorporates, how it is designed and delivered and will truthfully point out issues, limitations and shortfalls in an education programme that in England receives no financial support.

Mark Beattie-Edwards, Nautical Archaeology Society