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TINA

Denizcilik Arkeolojisi Dergisi

Projects planned in areas that are suspected to 50-120 m should be surveyed and checked as part
contain submerged prehistoric sites (down to 120 of the construction works, including pre-project
m bsl) should be reported to the IAA in advance. In geological and engineering surface and sub-surface
these areas, depending on the depth of the devel- surveys. The archaeologists should use the available
opment, impact and assessment surveys should be date obtained by the project to assess the archaeo-
conducted. These include surface and sub-bottom logical potential of the areas intended for develop-
surveys of suitable intensity. Site containing anthro- ment. Samples of sediments dragged from the sea
pogenic material, or those having high probability bottom should be examined for the presence of an-
of containing such remains, should be avoided and thropogenic artifacts or features.
project plans should be changed accordingly. Surveys after storms: Survey and excavation
Shallow shelf construction work: This refers to should be conducted after storms in the first instance
areas down to 20 m depth that could have been oc- along the shoreline and in shallow water (0-10m
cupied by late PPN and PN sedentary Neolithic soci- depth), with regular monitoring for erosion of sand
eties. Stone-built architectural elements and various cover. This has proved very successful in the past
site features are expected to be found in such settle- and it is likely that more remains to be discovered
ments. These areas should be subjected to frequent along the coastline of Israel. For the long term, en-
surface surveys by divers and by remotely operated dangered underwater prehistoric assets exposed in
equipment (ROV, side scan or multi beam sonars) to shallow seas, should be covered by sand bags or pro-
identify protruding features. In addition, along the tected by continuous sand nourishment and adding
coast, sub-bottom profiling should be carried out at sand to the overlying sand cover.
intervals of no less than 50 m. Core samples should Creating public awareness: The public should
be taken in 25 m intervals to be sorted and studied be considered as a partner of the state in owing, pro-
for anthropogenic traces pointing on the presence tecting, and preserving of the underwater cultural
of a submerged settlements. Trial trenches should heritage. Recruiting the public is essential, including
be excavated (at least one trench in every 50 x50 raising awareness and collaboration with diving
square) in the areas intended to be disturbed or per- clubs, amateur divers, military divers, industrial div-
manently covered by the planned construction activ- ers, schools and others .
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ities. Additionally, there should be an archaeological In conclusion, it is evident that the intensive
inspection during digging and trenching works of research undertaken over the past decades of the
the development or building project. submerged prehistoric settlements and landscapes
Areas located in depths exceeding 20-50 m could off the Mediterranean coast of Israel, has provided
also have been occupied by Epi-Palaeolithic and an unrivalled archaeological archive that should be
early Neolithic hunter-gatherers. Significant archi- safeguarded for future generations worldwide. It is
tectural elements are not expected, thus the areas hoped that the model outlined in this paper, will aid
intended for building and construction works that researchers in other regions to make similar out-
would interfere with the sea bottom should be sub- standing discoveries. Underwater prehistoric archae-
ject to surface survey as in the shallower depths ology should fulfill missing gaps associated with the
above but the sub- bottom investigations, may be maritime activity of coastal communities utilizing
less intensive. These should include sub-bottom the productive, heterogeneous and rich coastal and
profiling and core sampling only. In addition, ar- marine environments. Future intensified underwater
chaeological inspection is needed while digging and research should guarantee that submerged prehistory
trenching. Deep shelf construction work: Areas will contribute a significant, enduring dimensions to
intended for development and building at depths of the study of world prehistory.

81 For further information about regulations, laws, policy documents, risk assessment surveys, protected sites, institutions and mu-
seums, see GALILI and ARENSON 2014; GALILI and ROSEN 2010.
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