What is the ACUA

The Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology has been at the forefront of underwater archaeology for over 45 years. Its genesis as the Council on Underwater Archaeology was in 1959 and its purpose was fully realized at a meeting in 1963 when a group of archaeologists, historians, and sport divers met in St. Paul, Minnesota for the first international Conference on Underwater Archaeology (CUA). That auspicious beginning eventually led to two more bi-annual conferences in 1965 and 1967. In 1970, the first papers on underwater archaeology were given at the then fledgling Society for Historical Archaeology conference. By 1973, the present structure and name of the ACUA were established and shortly thereafter a merging of the SHA and CUA conferences. In 2003, a Memorandum of Agreement between the ACUA and the SHA was signed, formalizing the relationship between the two organizations.

The ACUA serves as an international advisory body on issues relating to underwater archaeology, conservation, and submerged cultural resources management. It is working to educate scholars, governments, sport divers, and the general public about underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater resources. The ACUA assists the SHA Conference Committee in organizing the annual SHA Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology and aids the editor in producing special thematic issues on underwater archaeology. The ACUA developed an introductory brochure on underwater archaeology that you can request from the SHA. The brochure has been translated into Spanish and French and a Portuguese version is planned.

History of the ACUA

If you are interested in learning more about the formation of the ACUA you can download a short article History of the ACUA in PDF format.

Who We Are

The ACUA is composed of twelve men and women elected on a rotating basis by the membership of the Society for Historical Archaeology. It includes professionals from state and federal archaeology programs, museums, non-profit institutes, and avocational societies involved in underwater archaeology. It also includes professionals in the fields of conservation and education. Our members hail from Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the US. Many avenues led each of us to underwater archaeology as a profession and a passion. Discover who we are and why we do underwater archaeology.

In addition to regularly elected members, the ACUA has Associate Members who provide us their insights and expertise on technical issues, education, sport diver training, shipwreck preserves and management, and international issues.