Toward Establishing Research and Significance Criteria for Civil War Shipwreck Resources

Abstract

Determination of significance and assessment of research potential for shipwreck sites have generally been carried out on a vessel-specific basis as a response to one of a variety of threats to the resource. Those responsible for the protection and management of shipwreck archaeological sites are frequently put in the position of having to make decisions about site value as a reaction to rapid environmental changes, developmental pressures, channel or beach maintenance activities, salvage interests, looting, and on occasion, proposals for scientific research. Unfortunately, most of these decisions are made without the benefit of an examination of the associated historical context or an assessment of the nature and scope of the data base.