The Relationship between Two Conventions Applicable to Underwater Cultural Heritage

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Croff

AbstractThis paper reviews the relationship between activities aimed at the underwater cultural heritage and marine scientific research in the exclusive economic zone, in particular the question of whether or not underwater cultural heritage research can be classified as marine scientific research. The study examines the definitions, practice, and jurisdiction of each, according to the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, and States’ current practice. By revising the current interpretation of international law, underwater cultural heritage research can potentially be classified as marine scientific research. The inclusion of archaeology as marine science would have implications that would open up new rights and responsibilities of coastal and research States, as both fulfill their duties to protect and preserve archaeological and historical objects found on the seabed.


Author(s):  
Fincham Derek

This concluding chapter offers a comparative perspective on the key components of contemporary cultural heritage law in North America. The region’s collective tangible and intangible cultural heritage has an array of legal and policy tools to safeguard it for future generations, though coordination between the three nations involved would benefit from increased cohesiveness. The primary legal mechanisms to prevent illicit movement are restrictions on removing archaeological materials; declarations of ownership for some or all of this material; export restrictions; and the ultimate enforcement of these protections both domestically and abroad. All three countries in North America have made this body of law a priority. The chapter then looks at the law enforcement efforts, international outreach, and treatment of specific objects of cultural heritage in Mexico, Canada, and the USA. It also describes the relationship of these North American States with the World Heritage Convention and UNESCO’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention.


1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-206
Author(s):  
Nicholas Gaskell ◽  
Sarah Dromgoole

AbstractThis article considers certain issues relating to the draft UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 1998. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive analysis of the draft, which is still only a working document, but the aim is (1) to give a very general introduction to the draft Convention; (2) to consider the relationship between the draft Convention and the UN Law of the Sea Convention 1982; (3) to assess the impact that the draft Convention would have on ownership rights in wrecks; (4) to examine whether the draft Convention should exclude warships and other State vessels from its scope; and (5) to analyse the relationship between the draft Convention and the law of salvage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1558
Author(s):  
Timmy Gambin ◽  
Kari Hyttinen ◽  
Maja Sausmekat ◽  
John Wood

The seabed can be considered as the world’s largest museum, and underwater sites explored and studied so far provide priceless information on human interaction with the sea. In recognition of the importance of this cultural resource, UNESCO, in its 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, determined that objects/sites should be preserved in situ, whilst also advocating for public access and sharing. The implementation of these principles is not without difficulties. Some states have opened up underwater sites to the public—mainly through diving, yet the vast majority of the world’s population does not dive. In Malta, 7000 years of human occupation is reflected in and on the landscape, and recent offshore surveys show that the islands’ long and complex history has also left an indelible mark on the seabed. Besides difficulties related to their protection and management, these sites also present a challenge with regard to sharing and communicating. Recent advances in underwater imaging and processing software have accelerated the development of 3D photogrammetry of submerged sites and the idea for a virtual museum was born. The virtual museum, UnderwaterMalta, was created out of a need to share the plethora of underwater sites located on the seabed of the Maltese Islands. A multitude of digital tools are used to share and communicate these sites, offering visitors a dry dive into submerged sites that would otherwise remain invisible to the vast majority of the public. This paper discusses the basic principle of the sharing of underwater cultural heritage and the difficulties that beset the implementation of such a principle. A detailed explanation and evaluation of the methods used to gather the raw data needed is set in the context of the particular and unique working conditions related to deep water sites. The workings of this paper are based on first-hand experiences garnered through the recording of numerous wrecks over the years and the creation and launch of The Virtual Museum-Underwater Malta—a comprehensive virtual museum specifically built for “displaying” underwater archaeological sites that are otherwise invisible to the general public.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6905
Author(s):  
Maria Tătărușanu ◽  
Gina Ionela Butnaru ◽  
Valentin Niță ◽  
Angelica-Nicoleta Neculăesei ◽  
Elena Ciortescu

Recently, in line with the increased attention paid to cultural tourism in general and to religious tourism in particular, researchers and practitioners have become increasingly interested in the analysis of various aspects related to cultural heritage in order to capitalize on its value by means of its interpretation, thus providing beneficial effects both for tourists and for tourism’s sustainable development. The aim of this research is to analyze the extent to which the methods of interpretation of the religious cultural heritage: guiding tours, quality reception, and relic worship influence the satisfaction of tourists participating in the “Saint Parascheva” pilgrimage, held annually by the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi. The data were collected by means of a survey (N = 932) and the information was processed by using the SPSS version 25 program. Our results indicate the significant influence that the potential to worship relics has on pilgrims’ satisfaction compared to other interpretation methods, such as the relationship with the Cathedral’s staff or the possibility of participating in guided tours. Pilgrims’ satisfaction is also perceived differently depending on certain aspects of their socio-demographic profile, i.e., their age and the perceived faith level. This study is relevant for researchers, managers, and students interested in the field of cultural heritage interpretation in genera, and in the field of religious heritage in particular, and could significantly contribute to improving pilgrims’ satisfaction as well as cultural heritage preservation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document