Alexandria Underwater Archaeological Field School

Call for Applications: Underwater Archaeology – Alexandria Field School 15 April 2024 to 30 April 2024

About the Filed School: The Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage (CMAUCH) is organizing a two-week field school in Alexandria, Egypt. This field school is open to early career researchers and individuals affiliated with maritime archaeology institutions. Participants must hold a SCUBA Diving Advanced Open Water Certificate or equivalent issued by an internationally recognized training organization.
The field school will offer theoretical and practical instruction in the field of underwater archaeology. This includes survey and excavation techniques, as well as documenting underwater sites and artifacts. The course is specifically designed for archaeologists who already have diving experience. Its main objective is to provide participants with advanced skills and training in underwater archaeology. The course is funded by the Honor Frost Foundation in collaboration with the Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage (CMAUCH).
Theoretical classes will be conducted at the CMAUCH, while practical training will be carried out in a swimming pool and in the eastern harbor of Alexandria.

The course will include:

• Introduction to Maritime Archeology
• UNESCO Convention for Underwater Cultural Heritage
• Boat Recording
• Underwater survey methods
• Underwater excavation methods
• Site Recording (2D)
• Introduction to photogrammetry
• Introduction to GIS
• Artifacts Recovery
• Introduction to first aid of underwater finds
• Training sessions for measurement
• Drawing and documentation of the finds
• Training on survey methods
• Training in using the hydro left in excavation
• 3D documentation – Photographing & Photogrammetry
• Visual Training on Remote sensing using side scans sonar

Field School Director:

Mohamed Khedr, Maritime Archaeologist & Senior Researcher at Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology, Egypt

The Team:

Dr. Ziad Morsy, Honor Frost Foundation Liaison Officer, Egypt

Mohamed Salama, Senior Research Assistant at German University, Oman

Maii Tarek, Researcher, GIS Specialist, Ulster University, UK

Asmaa EL-Sayed, Researcher, Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage, Egypt

Nada Kamel, Researcher, Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage, Egypt

Marina Guirguis, Researcher, Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage, Egypt

Alicia Johnson, Researcher, Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology & Underwater Cultural Heritage, Egypt

Application deadline: 30 November 2023

Number of field school places available: 12 Participants

Instruction language: English

Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age
• Applicants must hold a SCUBA Diving Advanced Open Water Certificate or equivalent issued by an internationally recognized training organization
• Participants should provide evidence of diving experience (log book)
• Medical certificate ensuring fitness for diving
• Divers Alert Network (DAN) insurance will be provided upon getting official acceptance to the field school

Selection Criteria:

• The evaluation and selection of applications will be conducted by considering the professional and educational backgrounds presented in the application documents
• Preference will be given to applicants affiliated with public institutions responsible for the management of cultural heritage, particularly in the field of underwater cultural heritage
• Applications with comparable professional profiles will be ranked based on their educational qualifications
• Additionally, letters of support from the affiliated institution will be taken into consideration as an additional factor
• During the selection process, six opportunities will be given to the participants from Egypt

Application:

To apply for the program, interested individuals should submit their supporting documents via email to Mr. Mohamed Khedr (m.khedr@alexu.edu.eg). The deadline for document submission is November 30th, 2023. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance or rejection by December 10th, 2023.

• Application Form (Here)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diving Certificate
• Certificate ensuring fitness for diving

Participation costs:

The course is fully funded by the HFF  to the participants from (Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Syria) including:

• Accommodation
• Weekly perdiem
• Local transfers to the CMAUCH and training sites
• Diving equipment (BCD-Regulator)-(if participants do not have their own)
• CMAUCH certificate of attendance and successful course completion
• Field School T-shirt

NB. Participants from other countries not eligible for (Accommodation, Transporation and Weekly perdiem)

Selected applicants will not be eligible for:

• Reimbursement for their travel to/from Alexandria
• Any other financial support during the course

Special Requirements:

Selected applicants should provide the following:

• Diving equipment: (Diving suit, Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Booties). Air tanks and diving weights will be provided by the CMAUCH
• A laptop (Software’ that should be installed will be communicated)