Diving Into History

Posted on: January 31, 2022 | National Museum of the Philippines

Isn’t it thrilling to be able to breathe underwater and explore the unknown? It is even more fascinating to discover the stories of our past through our underwater cultural heritage. For today’s #MaritimeMonday, let us dive deep into history through the world of underwater archaeology.

Underwater archaeological sites are not limited to just shipwrecks. They encompass remains of all other vessels, structures, and cultural materials that are wholly or partly submerged underwater. The nature of these sites and the challenge of their accessibility make SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving an essential skill in underwater excavations.

Do you know that the earliest breathing apparatus used underwater was called the “diving bell”? It is composed of a face mask and reinforced tubes that led to a bell-shaped float on the surface, allowing the diver to access air. Scuba divers now use tanks containing compressed air to breathe, coupled with other diving tools. Even with this equipment and proper training, there are limitations in the length of time underwater, depth, and conditions of the site. Fortunately, new sets of equipment like underwater vehicles have been developed to help archaeologists go deeper and longer underwater. There are also other pieces of equipment developed to look through waters even in the lowest visibility such as side scan and multibeam sonars, as well as equipment that can penetrate into the seabed such as the sub-bottom profiler.

All underwater activities must be non-destructive as possible and directed to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. However, the rapidly growing recreational diving activities pose a major threat to underwater cultural heritage. It is important to develop a deep sense of cultural awareness within the communities to establish good relationships and cooperation with the heritage authorities towards the monitoring and protection of underwater sites. The #NationalMuseumPH continues to safeguard our underwater cultural heritage and conduct material culture studies to give understanding about the lives, living conditions, behaviour, and technology of people who lived in the past.

If you have knowledge of underwater sites being looted or destroyed, report immediately to local government authorities or contact the nearest NMP office. Let us all take part in protecting our cultural heritage for future generations.

Explore more on our underwater cultural heritage by visiting the ‘300 Years of Maritime Trade in the Philippine’s exhibit at the National Museum of Anthropology. Book your tour through this website.

#DivingIntoHistory
#UnderwaterArchaeology
#ProtectUCH
#SCUBA
#MuseumFromHome
#BeatCOVID19

Text and poster by the NMP Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division