Building capacity and skills for the conservation and management of underwater heritage

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify">Water World was needed to address the stagnation and decline of Portugal’s National Centre for Nautical and Underwater Archaeology (CNANS), which had suffered from reduced resources, outdated equipment, and operational limitations due to socioeconomic constraints. It aimed to revitalise the CNANS by enhancing its technical capabilities, human resources, and methodologies for safeguarding underwater cultural heritage. The project addressed these challenges through four key activities: capacity-building for heritage management and conservation, underwater heritage conservation and monitoring, maritime cultural landscape management, and public dissemination. Key outputs included acquiring new equipment, hiring staff, operationalising a laboratory, conducting training, and establishing partnerships. The project achieved its goals, modernising the CNANS’s operations, clearing backlogs in archaeological records, and developing new workflows. Beneficiaries included heritage professionals and the public, who gained improved access to underwater cultural heritage. The collaboration with the Norwegian Maritime Museum was pivotal, enabling knowledge exchange in 3D documentation, geophysics, and conservation techniques.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The project greatly benefited from the partnership with the Norsk Maritimt Museum, as it enabled the sharing of knowledge and expertise in key areas such as 3D documentation, freeze-drying techniques for waterlogged materials, and geophysical applications for underwater archaeological sites. Collaborative activities, including workshops, field campaigns, scientific meetings, and study visits, were instrumental in challenging existing paradigms and adopting new methodologies. This bilateral cooperation helped bridge gaps in Portugal’s underwater archaeology practices, aligning them more closely with Norway’s advanced standards. The involvement of other Norwegian institutions, such as the Bergen Maritime Museum and Riksantikvaren, further enriched the project’s outcomes. These project's partners acknowledged the benefits of sustaining the relationship, recognising its potential to further advance their work in underwater archaeology.

Project partners

• Norwegian Maritime Museum Donor project partner· Norway