Worldwide, the history of underwater archaeology is not long. In 1930s, 19, because of the appearance of diving masks, mankind took a big step towards the underwater world. Since the emergence of modern archaeology in the middle of19th century, with the confirmation of residence on the Swiss lake, scientific investigation and excavation of ancient underwater remains have been carried out, marking the establishment of underwater archaeology.
1943, the French invented scuba, which solved the problem of underwater breathing below 10 meter, and archaeologists finally got rid of the dependence on professional divers.
1960, American archaeologist george bass was invited to investigate and excavate the shipwreck site of Byzantine period in the 7th century in Cape Gelidonia, Turkey, which opened the first time that archaeologists applied archaeological methods to the excavation and research of underwater sites, and initiated the practice of underwater archaeological methods, which was a milestone in the development history of underwater archaeology.
Development of Underwater Archaeology in China
China's underwater archaeology started late, starting in the 1980s.
1in April, 1985, a report entitled "China ceramic experts suggest to pay attention to underwater archaeology" attracted the attention of relevant leaders of the central government and the State Council. 1September 1986, the state decided to develop underwater archaeology. National Cultural Heritage Administration entrusted the Chinese Museum of History to undertake this national task, and therefore established the Underwater Archaeological Research Center, which was the only professional institution of underwater archaeology in China at that time.
1986 1 1 In June, the National Underwater Archaeological Coordination Group was established and the China Underwater Archaeological Research Center was discussed. Professor Yu, a famous archaeologist and then director of the Museum of Chinese History, undertook this task.
1987- 1990 has trained a number of underwater archaeological professionals by sending people abroad to study and cooperating with foreign underwater archaeological research institutions. After more than ten years' efforts, this professional team has conducted many investigations and excavations on underwater shipwreck sites and other underwater cultural relics in China's four sea areas-Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea. At present, the cause of water archaeology in China not only fills the gap in the discipline, but also enters the stage of sustainable development from the initial stage. At the end of 1987, the underwater archaeological research office of the Chinese History Museum was born.
1987 In February, with the approval of the State Council, a national underwater archaeological coordination group led by National Cultural Heritage Administration was established to coordinate relevant departments to study and solve major underwater archaeological problems. With the development of a series of major underwater archaeological and conservation projects, in order to better complete the national cross-regional and cross-departmental underwater archaeological work, in May 2008, National Cultural Heritage Administration officially approved the establishment of an underwater cultural heritage protection center by China Institute of Cultural Relics to undertake the underwater archaeological and cultural relics protection work in China.
In September 2009, National Cultural Heritage Administration established the National Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center (hereinafter referred to as the Underwater Center) in China Heritage Research Institute, and endowed it with the function of coordinating the national underwater cultural heritage protection. In the past three years, China's underwater cultural heritage protection has made great progress, and it is also facing new situations and new problems. In order to further promote the development of the cause, in June this year, the Central Organizing Committee approved the China Heritage Research Institute to add the brand of "National Cultural Heritage Administration Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center".
201212 On February 25th, 2002, at the national office meeting of cultural relics directors, Cai Wu, Minister of Culture, Li Xiaojie, Vice Minister of Culture and Director of National Cultural Heritage Administration, officially awarded the "National Cultural Heritage Administration Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center". Minister Cai Wu personally awarded the brand of "National Cultural Heritage Administration Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center" to Comrade Liu Shuguang, director of the Underwater Center, which marked the formal establishment of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward the development goal of "resolutely safeguarding the national maritime rights and interests and building a maritime power". The establishment of National Cultural Heritage Administration Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center is not only the need of the new development of underwater cultural heritage protection, but also a positive response to the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress, which will surely become a milestone in the development history of underwater cultural heritage protection in China.