Welcome to the weekend Obots!
Today, in our final feature for Archaeologists Week, we look at the relationship between the National Association of Black Scuba Divers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the advancement of African Americans in Maritime Archaeology. (who knew?)
First, what is Maritime Archaeology?
Maritime archaeology (also known as marine archaeology) is a discipline within archaeology as a whole that specifically studies human interaction with the sea, lakes and rivers through the study of associated physical remains, be they vessels, shore side facilities, port-related structures, cargoes, human remains and submerged landscapes. A specialty within maritime archaeology is nautical archaeology, which studies vessel construction and use. As with archaeology as a whole, maritime archaeology can be practised within the historical, industrial, or pre-historical periods. An associated discipline, and again one that lies within archaeology itself, is underwater archaeology, which studies the past through any submerged remains be they of maritime interest or not. An example from the pre-historic era would be the examination of remains submerged in ancient wells or cenotes, or of Indigenous sites now lying underwater yet well away from the sea or inland waters. The study of submerged aircraft lost in lakes, rivers or in the sea is an example from the historical or industrial era. Many specialist sub-disciplines within the broader maritime and underwater archaeological categories have emerged in recent years.
From May 2009: NOAA and National Black Scuba Divers Join Together:
NOAA archaeologists will be in the Florida Keys this month training members of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers in underwater archaeology as part of a new education initiative to explore the maritime heritage of African-Americans and engage the community in marine resource conservation.
“By telling the many stories about African-Americans in seafaring, naval service, and the maritime trades, the project inspires a rediscovery of African-American maritime roots,” said Tim Runyan, NOAA maritime heritage program manager.
Fifteen participants will be taught the science of maritime archaeology and learn basic underwater surveying, recording and mapping techniques during the May 22-24 training course. The course will include classroom and fieldwork exercises on a shipwreck in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and stress the importance of conservation and preservation of the nation’s underwater cultural heritage.
NABS member Bill Murrain said the dive group’s commitment to education and public outreach aligns perfectly with the African-American “Voyage of Discovery” education and outreach initiative coordinated by the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
“African-Americans have made significant contributions to the country’s maritime history and the archaeological training course will give NABS an opportunity to help bring this history to a wider public,” Murrain said.
The training is also part of a larger NOAA effort to create a cadre of skilled volunteers who can assist with archaeological field work and historic research occurring within the National Marine Sanctuary System.
Read more about the recent training and excavations of the NABSD here.
Voyage to Discovery is an outgrowth of a partnership between NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), its Maritime Heritage Program, and MURRAIN ASSOCIATES, INC., a management consulting firm with a focus on strategic planning, project evaluation, community development, health services planning, assessment and management. Murrain Associates consists of four members of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) who have shared experiences in marine biology, marine archaeology, slave ship exploration, history, law, journalism and marketing.
 |
| Bill Murrain teaches a group of Atlanta school children about ocean conservation during the National Marine Sanctuary Aquarius 2010 Mission: If Reefs Could Talk. (Credit: NABS) |
BILL MURRAIN A lawyer specializing in health care and civil rights, Bill Murrain is an adjunct assistant professor at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. He was president of NABS from 1998 to 2002. In 2006, Murrain was director of the NABS Foundation and worked to create relationships with corporate sponsors and raise NABS’ profile in the dive industry.
Murrain has been involved with his local dive club for years, serving as president of the Atlanta Underwater Explorers from 1996-1998. He is a volunteer with Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, and a member of the Ocean Conservancy, and Friends of Mel Fisher buy viagra brampton Maritime Museum. A consultant with NOAA’s Maritime Heritage Program, Murrain earned a Nautical Archaeology Society Training certificate in 2009 as part of a program to create a cadre of skilled volunteers to assist NOAA with ongoing archaeological field work and historic research within the National Marine Sanctuary System. In addition to his scuba interests, Murrain also mentors young black men across the country.
 |
| Dr. José Jones cleans off the monument plaque for the Henrietta Marie. (Credit: NABS) |
DR. JOSE JONES Dr. José Jones is professor emeritus of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia, where he served previously as department chair, dean, vice president of academic affairs, and provost. He is founder of the Underwater Adventure Seekers, established in 1959, one of the oldest SCUBA diving clubs in the world, and co-founder and past president of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, which was established in 1991 and has over 2,000 national and international members.
Jones holds a masters degree in Aquatic Biology from Howard University, a PhD in Marine Biology from Georgetown University, is a three-time National Science Foundation fellow and a Fulbright Scholar. He has logged over 6,000 dives worldwide and certified over 2000 divers from Africa to Australia totally at no charge. His awards include the DEMA Reaching Out Award, the DAN/Rolex International Diver of the Year Award, and the Sport Diver of the Year Award. He continues to promote scuba diving by visiting schools and colleges to speak with students about the sport of scuba diving and careers in oceanography and environmental sciences. Because of their similarities in experiences and training in the military, oceanographic research, exploration, underwater photography and videography, scuba diving, and education, Dr. Jones is often referred to as “The Black Jacques Cousteau.”
 |
| Michael Cottman |
MICHAEL H. COTTMAN Michael H. Cottman, an award-winning journalist and author, is Senior Correspondent for BlackAmericaWeb.com, a division of REACH Media/Radio One, the nation’s largest black-owned media company. In his role as commentator and analyst, Cottman covers President Barack Obama and the White House. Cottman has earned numerous awards including journalism’s highest honor, the Pulitzer Prize, which he shared with staff at Newsday in 1992. He is the author of three books, including “The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie: An African American’s Spiritual Journey to Uncover a Sunken Slave Ship’s Past.”
In 1993, Cottman and a group of black scuba divers placed a monument on the site of the slave ship off the Florida coast to commemorate the African people who died aboard the Henrietta Marie and those lost during the Middle Passage. Cottman also assisted in the development of National Geographic’s highly-acclaimed “Real Pirates” multimedia exhibit, which highlights the life of pirates through the artifacts of the Whydah, a slave ship-turned pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago.
Cottman is a sought-after speaker on topics including journalism, African-American history, contemporary social issues, race relations, underwater exploration, and the African slave trade.
 |
| Ken Stewart with his NABS Youth participants at the 2010 Youth Education Field Experience in Alpena, Michigan. (Credit: NOAA)
|
KEN STEWART Ken Stewart, of Nashville, Tennessee, is the co-founder of the Tennessee Aquatic Project, an organization that introduces inner city youth to the marine world through swimming, scuba diving, marine environmental awareness, and career opportunities. For years, Ken has gone into impoverished neighborhoods and recruited youth, encouraging them to explore new horizons through an open mind, hard work, and courage. He has mentored students in his programs through high school and into college, cheering their accomplishments and supporting them through their struggles.
In addition to his work with the Tennessee Aquatic Project, Stewart serves as NABS’ education chair and president of the Southeast Tennessee Association for Black Scuba Divers. Since 2004, Stewart has been the catalyst in organizing and sponsoring the NABS Youth Education Summit, a marine biology and educational camp for minority and at- risk youths. In recent years, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has hosted the week-long marine conservation event, as well as special field immersions for NABS youth.