Ocean Science for Everyone

Maritime Heritage

Learn About Maritime Heritage

Maritime heritage study of human interactions with Earth’s large water bodies and their coasts throughout time. The most common (and perhaps most popular) type of maritime heritage sites studied are shipwrecks; however, marine archaeologists also investigate other kinds of sites, such as sunken airplanes, flooded land sites, or fishing structures. Studying maritime heritage sites can help us understand the past, connect us to our ancestors, and teach us lessons on how the environment and human error can impact each other.

Featured Multimedia

Maritime Heritage

Anchor
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This anchor was one of two found in the Gulf of America, among the remains of what is likely the 19th century whaler Industry. The shipwreck was discovered and explored during Dive 02 of the 2022 ROV and Mapping Shakedown.

FPO
B-29 Superfortress

Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer images a B-29 Superfortress aircraft discovered during an exploratory dive in 2016 in Saipan Channel. This is the first B-29 crash site found of over a dozen American B-29s lost in the area while flying missions during World War II.

USS Baltimore (C-3) Plan View of the Bow Section
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Photogrammetry model of USS Baltimore (C-3) created using imagery collected by NOAA Ocean Exploration in 2017. The ship was a U.S. Navy cruiser that was in service from 1890 to 1922 before being scuttled in 1944 near the southern shore of Oahu, Hawai‘i.

All Resources

Fact Sheet
The Ecology of Maritime Heritage/Maritime Archaeol...
Fact Sheet
How We Explore Maritime Heritage Sites
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Archaeologists use measuring tapes and underwater cameras to record and document a World War II aircraft site in Papua New Guinea.

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NOAA Ocean Exploration engages educators, students, and the general public to enhance America’s ocean literacy through the excitement of ocean discovery. Dive in here to explore deep-sea phenomena and resources to support classroom instruction and inspire students to better understand our ocean planet.