Underwater Archaeology Excavating the Nile

Dr Zahi Hawass examines some of the finds being excavated from the bottom of the River Nile near Aswan, explaining that the river was used as a trade route, with boats carrying various materials and goods along the Nile. Sometimes, boats would sink and with them the goods they carried, which is what is being excavated. Dr Hawass explains that archaeological discoveries are not only found in the desert sands, but also in the waters of the river.


Underwater Archaeology is that branch of the regulation and science of Archaeology that is practiced under water, either by archaeologists outfitted with breathing equipment or by the remote control of machines. Strictly, this means archaeology under water, which is the main discipline of maritime archaeology.


Underwater archaeology is considered as a branch of maritime archaeology (the archaeology of aquatic vessels and associated infrastructure), though not exclusively: underwater excavation techniques and methodology can also be applied in the study of sunken settlement and committal sites, for instance. underwater or maritime archaeology does not essentially deal with wrecks, even if that is the part scuba divers more often deal with.