From Baird Maritime:
Maritime archaeology is a very specialised activity carried out by a small group of usually intensely dedicated people. It is obviously a much more complex and difficult activity than archaeology conducted on land.
It is, though, an incredibly valuable branch of the archaeology profession. Maritime history and maritime heritage has been a vital component of human development.
Australia, of course, has had only a relatively short maritime history. Its shipwrecks are much more recent than their counterparts in the Mediterranean or southeast Asia, for example. They are also considerably fewer.
Nevertheless, as Australia depends upon shipping for some 96 percent of the volume of its trade, it is an important activity. More so in the past before rail, road and air transport became a factor.
This attractively presented book examines fifteen famous Australian shipwrecks in an archaeological sense. They range from the 'Batavia' of 1629 to the 'Tasman' of 1883. A good cross section. It also describes the activities and techniques of maritime archaeologists.
Very interesting. A useful contribution to Australia's maritime heritage.
Ordering Information:
University of Western Australia Press Crawley, Australia Web: www.uwapress.uwa.edu.au
