About the German Society for the Promotion of Underwater Archaeology - DEGUWA

The association of archaeologists, scientists from various disciplines, and sport divers in the "German Society for the Promotion of Underwater Archaeology e.V." (DEGUWA) aims to support underwater archaeology in research and education and to enhance the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

As a registered association, DEGUWA relies on membership fees and donations. It is recognized as a non-profit organization by the Erlangen tax office.

The members work on a voluntary basis.

DEGUWA collaborates with universities, state heritage conservation offices, museums, and non-commercial organizations of private individuals and sport divers at both national and international levels.

Each year, DEGUWA organizes the conference "In Poseidon's Realm" and publishes the journal SKYLLIS.
Through courses following the training scheme of the British Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), both professionals and amateurs are taught underwater archaeological knowledge and techniques.

Underwaterarchaeology

Conferences

Skyllis

Excavations

Excursions

NAS - Training

Donate and Get Involved

Help Preserve Underwater Heritage
Support the work of the German Society for the Promotion of Underwater Archaeology!

The commitment to protecting cultural heritage underwater cannot stop at national borders. At least 3 million shipwrecks and countless settlement remains lie in the world's oceans, reflecting humanity's interaction with nature and the resulting societal developments. Trade relations, political interests and conflicts, life on board ships, and the evolution of shipbuilding can all be traced in these underwater remnants.

The preservation of this heritage is at risk due to transportation and tourism projects, oil and gas extraction, offshore wind farms, gravel and sand mining, and commercial treasure hunters. Beyond the 12-mile zone, German state monument protection laws no longer apply, and even within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), this protection is not guaranteed.

Since its founding, DEGUWA has supported the efforts of the international community (EU and UNESCO) to safeguard and preserve underwater cultural heritage at the international legal level. In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which came into force in 2009 after ratification by 20 member states.

UNESCO Advisory Status

On June 14, 2011, the Bureau of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 UNESCO Convention granted our society the "Temporary accreditation of NGOs for consultation and collaboration with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage."

At the same time, nine other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide received this accreditation:

• Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology – ACUA (USA)
• Association for the Development of Maritime Archaeological Research – ADRAMAR (France)
• Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology – AIMA (Australia)
• Arkaeos (France)
• Centre for International Heritage Activities – CIE (Netherlands)
• Institute of Nautical Archaeology – INA (USA)
• Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee – JNAPC (UK)
• Nautical Archaeology Society – NAS (UK)
• Society for Historical Archaeology – SHA (USA)

Role of the Advisory Body

The task of this group is to support the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body in its work. The advisory body currently consists of 12 members, primarily archaeologists. Its official responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Meeting of States Parties with scientific and technical matters related to the implementation of the Rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage (Annex of the Convention).
• Being consulted in drafting Operational Guidelines based on these rules.
• Providing guidance on practical implementation and intergovernmental cooperation, as outlined in Articles 8 to 13 of the Convention.

The advisory body collaborates with accredited NGOs engaged in activities within the scope of the Convention. These NGOs are officially recognized by the Meeting of States Parties. The advisory body reports on its activities at each meeting of the States Parties.

.

Contact