The association of professional archaeologists, historians and scientists of related disciplines, as well as laymen and sport divers within the German Society for the Promotion of Underwater Archaeology (DEGUWA) serves the purpose to promote research & teaching in underwater archaeology and to enhance the protection of the underwater cultural heritage. All members of this society work in an honorary capacity.

This objective is achieved by collaborations with universities, heritage agencies, museums, non-profit organisations of individuals and sport divers at national and international level. Underwater excavations, monitoring and surveys are carried out in cooperation with the responsible authorities.

The annual conferences »In Poseidons Reich« serve as venue for the exchange of the latest research results, whilst our journal SKYLLIS serves their dissemination.
Our training scheme follows the standards of the Nautical Archaeology Society.

It is the special quality of water that archaeological objects - especially organic materials - are much better preserved. Hence sport-divers may find archaeological sites by chance, even without searching for them directly.
Up to the present day thirst for adventure and treasure-hunting mentality is evoked by lurid movies and sensational articles, without indicating the fatal consequences for the archaeology and the cultural heritage. If however objects are salvaged and exposed to air, they require immediate treatment by experts, otherwise the deterioration process would start very quickly, which is not reversible. Even artefacts that appear to be in a very good state might become very fragile once recovered, especially waterlogged wooden artefacts. Therefore the best practice is to leave objects in situ, i.e. untouched. Moreover only experts are able to make an estimation on the complexity of the site and its archaeological potential.

Up to the present day several states concede "claims" (in expectance in a share of the profit) to salvage companies, which exploit archaeological sites in their territorial waters. However the UNESCO and the Council of Europe have endeavoured over recent years to introduce an international legislation across national borders to rescue the cultural heritage, i.e. the "Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage".

In most countries of the Mediterranean scuba diving is very restricted for the fear of treasure-hunting. Violations of such laws are punished severely.
In Germany the legislation for the protection of underwater cultural heritage is regulated by the "Laws for the Protection of Historic Monuments" (Denkmalschutzgesetze) of the respective Federal States (Bundesländer). They generally coincide by including the territorial waters into the protection that applies also for archaeological sites on land. Hence the search for and the survey, excavation and salvage of archaeological sites/artefacts require official approval by the authorities.

Notification of authorities!

Divers are legally obliged to notify the responsible authority when finds are made under water and to leave the position and state of the object unchanged. It is a matter of course that heritage agencies would investigate each finds report, as they carry out own underwater archaeological investigations since years. The discovery should be treated confidential and not shared with anybody else.

By absolving extramural NAS-seminars in underwater and foreshore archaeology, sport-divers will get an appropriate training to assist professional underwater archaeologists. This enables archaeologists to recruit volunteers from a wider community of experienced divers and, moreover, their special/professional skills (e.g. technique, GIS, photography) could be used for underwater archaeological projects. So by now it is common that teams are drawn up that include both sport-divers and archaeologists, e.g. for projects of the DEGUWA abroad and/or to support the work of heritage agencies (Bodendenkmalämter) and similar institutions.

If you are interested in cooperating with us by becoming a member of the DEGUWA, please print out the application form below, fill it in and send it to the given address. However, maybe you want to read our statutes first.