Underwater Archaeology in Iceland: Past Work, Current Management and Future Possibilities in Community Engagement

ABSTRACT The monitoring and management of underwater sites in Iceland is severely deficient, due to various factors. Globally, underwater cultural heritage managers are increasingly turning towards community engagement as a way of addressing the many challenges they face, and this article proposes the adoption of a similar strategy in Iceland. It could both improve management, and the awareness of underwater sites. The article outlines the national heritage laws in place, summarizes past underwater archaeological work within the country, and highlights the challenges which maritime archaeologists currently face. The impact of community underwater archaeology projects elsewhere is discussed, and an evaluation of the viability of such a project in Iceland is made. Results presented from a survey distributed to the sports diving community further reinforces this evaluation, by highlighting the skills the community could bring to the field, as well as their interest and willingness to participate in such a study.