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The Naval Historical Center's Underwater Archaeology Branch advises the Navy in matters related to historic preservation of U.S. Navy ship and aircraft wrecks. An underwater archaeologist oversees and coordinates this program that deals not only with archaeology and conservation, but many sensitive issues such as war graves, unexploded ordnance, potential use of recovered weapons systems, and complicated legal issues dealing with title and the illegal removal of property from wrecks.

Location:

Washington Navy Yard, second floor of Building 1
Map of the Washington Navy Yard and Information on Visiting the Naval Historical Center

Phone: (202) 433-7230

More Information:

• Sunken Naval Vessels & Naval Aircraft Wreck Sites Policy Fact Sheet
  • Do I Need a Permit?
  • Application for Archaeological Research Permits on Ship and Aircraft Wrecks (PDF format)
  • Guidelines for Archaeological Research Permit Applications (PDF format)
• Conservation Laboratory at the Washington Navy Yard
• Basic Methods of Conserving Underwater Archaeological Material Culture (DENIX)
• Some Historic Ship and Aircraft Wrecks
• Publications and Professional Papers
• Legal Agreements Regarding the Navy's Historic Wrecks
• Other Websites on Underwater Archaeology and Historic Preservation

19 July 2004