Imagine a world beneath the waves, teeming with history, where fortunes are buried and secrets sleep... but also where a relentless race against time and greed is constantly underway. This is the reality for Mensun Bound, often called the "Indiana Jones of the deep." He's dedicated his life to preserving the treasures of shipwrecks, but he's facing a formidable foe: the ever-advancing technology of looters.
Bound, the man who famously discovered Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance, resting 10,000 feet below the surface, is sounding the alarm. He fears that the accessibility of the ocean depths, thanks to technological leaps, is making it easier than ever for "rogue organizations" to plunder these underwater time capsules.
He shared his concerns at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, revealing that his life feels like a constant battle against those who would steal from the past. He emphasized that the technology is getting better, cheaper, and more pervasive, allowing access to virtually any point in the ocean.
This isn't just about a few trinkets; it's about preserving history. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are now capable of exploring the ocean floor for extended periods without needing to be tethered to a surface ship. This is a game-changer for those seeking the estimated three million shipwrecks scattered across the ocean. Advanced surveying and excavation techniques have increased discoveries, but they also heighten the risk of illicit salvage and theft.
Bound, who was born in the Falkland Islands, expressed particular concern about the artifacts on Shackleton's ship, which was abandoned in 1915 when it became trapped in ice. He fears that even the protected sites, like the location of the Endurance, are vulnerable to those with ill intentions.
He also shared the heartbreaking decisions he's had to make about which wrecks to prioritize. He recalls a painful experience from his younger years, when he dismissed the significance of Roman shipwrecks. Years later, when he finally returned to the site, he found that it had been completely stripped bare, leaving nothing but a stain in the sand.
But here's where it gets controversial... The deepest known shipwreck, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, lies nearly 23,000 feet down. However, Bound suggests that even this site could become accessible to future expeditions.
The issue of ownership further complicates matters. The discovery of the San José, a Spanish galleon potentially containing billions of dollars worth of treasure, has sparked intense legal battles. The ship was sunk in 1708, and the ownership claims involve multiple countries and companies.
And this is the part most people miss... While technology makes retrieval possible, the legal battles over ownership can drag on for years, leaving the treasure in limbo.
What do you think? Is the preservation of these historical sites a shared responsibility? Do you believe that the advancements in technology are a blessing or a curse for underwater archaeology? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
