Legislation Worldwide

Only a limited number of historical wrecks or artefacts can be excavated or taken care of by archaeologists. The remainder is often in no peril, and may remain on-site for future generations. International legislation aims at protecting our heritage against uncontrolled treasure hunting and looting. Specific European legislation is briefly described in the list of European authorities & contacts.

On November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage was adopted by the plenary session of the 31st General Conference, becoming UNESCO’s fourth heritage Convention.

• UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, 2001
• ICOMOS Charter on Protection and Management, Sofia, 1996. The International Council of Monuments and Sites, under UNESCO, tries to co-ordinate international underwater heritage protection.
• UNESCO Draft Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, Paris, 1998
• UNESCO Draft Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, Buenos Aires, 1994
• Législation et géstion du patrimoine archéologique nautique et subaquatique au Portugal, F. J. S. Alves
• The Protection of Wrecks Act, UK 1973
• Australian Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act, Australia 1976
• Abandoned Shipwrecks Act, USA 1987
• Swedish & Nordic legislation (only in Swedish)
• Rules for scuba diving in Norway
    
• Legal Loopholes, Edward Brown
• Finders Keepers, Patrick O'Keefe
• Who owns the Titanic? Bengt Grisell
• Diving on Shipwreck, Canada
• Diving for Diamonds, Archaeology, Sept 2000
• UN shuts lid on sunken treasure chests, Guardian, Nov 2001
• Management of maritime archaeology under Australian legislation, Jeremy Green

Cultural heritage

• EU project to protect underwater cultural heritage, 2001-2004
• Maritime archaeology – What is at issue in northern Europe, Thijs J. Maarleveld
• Between frugality and eclecticism – management of an archaeological cornucopia, Thijs J. Maarleveld
• Resolution from IKUWA 99, Germany 
• Maritime and fluvial cultural heritage, report, Council of Europe, 12 October 2000
• Lure of the Deep, Nancy C. Wilkie
• Diving into the past, UNESCO. "Shipwrecks are invaluable in reconstructing life-styles no longer existing and represent a buried treasure in terms of knowledge about life on board, boat construction and trade routes. A shipwreck is a time capsule waiting to be unlocked since time stops when a vessel founders."
• Adopt a Wreck. The Nautical Archaeological Society has initiated this campaign in the UK in co-operation with local clubs.
• Respect our Wrecks, international campaign from Project AWARE, PADI

Treasure hunting

Certain cases of commercial search for and exploitation of valuable items in historical wrecks have ruined the archaeological information.

• The Men Who Stole the Stars, George F. Bass
• Underwater Heritage, a Treasure Trove to Protect, Sue Williams
• Marx is the Name, Treasure's the Game, Sue Williams
• My quest against treasure hunting, Paulo Monteiro
• Destructive Salvage Policy, Chuck Meide

You may find more in the lists European authorities and worldwide authorities. These topics are also discussed under Debate.