The Underwater Archaeological Chart project arises as a coastline and seaside management tool based on the Maritime Cultural Landscape. As an IT source and a knowledge tool, it is rooted on research by its ability to define strategies and priorities in establishing a sustainable development policy and fruition of the underwater cultural heritage.
The model followed in the management of the Underwater Cultural Heritage of the city of Cascais, is a process that understands research as a complete cycle of activities essential to the field of underwater archaeology (which comprise the documentation, intervention, conservation, protection and disclosure), but also in conducting Coastal Archaeology and in creating a public archaeology meant to monitor the economic horizon of the sea.
Goals
The objectives of this research have a dual goal: firstly, provide a distinct approach on coastal management, as a maritime cultural space; and, secondly, to have a new insight on archaeological issues and to promote new areas of research.
This work also aims to contribute to the protection of the underwater archaeological sites identified, namely regarding their scientific and heritage valuation, with special focus on current issues of maritime spatial planning.
The work on the underwater archaeological heritage has been developed within this technical-scientific platform, establishing and focusing on the following priorities and strategic objectives:
1. The development of tools that combine all the data related to the underwater cultural heritage:
- Adaptation of specific modules integrated in the data management system InPatrimonium, based on the historical and archaeological information, and lastly framed in a more comprehensive plan as the municipal master plan (PDM);
- The storage of historical data that enabled a first percent analysis of the occurrences, the type of ship, the shipwrecks and maritime accidents areas along the coast of Cascais. The archaeological information was divided into two groups, a first group with artefacts collected and a second with isolated findings and complex findings in situ.
2. Interventions in the field:
- Geolocation of underwater archaeological sites, the starting point being the DGPC’s database Endovelicus, the historical and popular information;
- Assessment and monitoring of underwater archaeological sites identified since 2009;
- Archaeological surveys mainly focused on the localisation, delimitation and potential of the existing archaeological contexts.
3. The dissemination and the promotion of public participation in protecting the underwater cultural heritage within context of sustainability.
- As a platform of knowledge and multidisciplinary opportunity that so far has crossed areas as different as marine biology and oceanographic robotics;
- The integration of non-archaeologists, firstly to disclose the importance of Underwater Cultural Heritage, by enhancing the ability to appreciate the remnants from the past and its surroundings, to acknowledge what should and should not be done to preserve and perpetuate this heritage, and to raise awareness of the fact that any intrusive activity, focusing on this heritage, should only be carried out following all scientific, professional and legal requirements;
- Field experience for young graduates and masters in archaeology, mainly students from FCSH/NOVA.
Start: 2011
Duration: 55 months
Principal Investigator: Jorge Freire (CHAM) / António Fialho (CMC)
Funding
- Câmara Municipal de Cascais
- Câmara Municipal de Cascais
- Centro de História d'Aquém e d'Além-Mar / Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas/Universidade Nova de Lisboa | Universidade dos Açores
Sponsor
- Cascais Dive Center
- Escola de Vela de Cascais
- Instituto Superior Técnico / Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
- Marina de Cascais
- Porto de Recreio de Oeiras
- Projecto Baseline Cascais
Partnerships
- Câmara Municipal de Oeiras
- Centro de Investigação Naval
- Direcção Geral do Património Cultural
Team
Jorge Freire . Coordenator
António Fialho . Coordenator
Augusto Salgado (CINAV)
Carlos Martins
Cristóvão Fonseca (CHAM)
Inês Pinto Coelho (CHAM)
João Pedro Cardoso (CMCascais)
Jorge Russo (CINAV)
José António Gonçalves (CMCascais)
Luis Sebastião (ISR / IST/UTL)
Marco Borges (FLUL)
Maria João Faria (CMCascais)
Miguel Lacerda
Nuno Sousa (CINAV)
Patrícia Carvalho (CHAM)
Pedro Ivo (CINAV)
Tiago Silva (CHAM)
