Maritime archaeology in the eastern Mediterranean: approaches, perspectives, and histories

Abstract

This special collection of essays in the Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies not only focuses on maritime archaeology, but also variations within the discipline in the eastern Mediterranean. The basic goal of this collection is to distribute histories of the discipline within the Republic of Cyprus, Lebanon, and Israel, and to use that history to investigate the methodological and theoretical development of the practice within those countries. Quite consciously, the contributors were asked to adopt an admittedly awkward perspective that draws upon their decades of experience practicing maritime archaeology whilst critically examining their own practices. How has maritime archaeology developed and established itself in Cyprus, for example? What were the theoretical and philosophical influences that impacted efforts in Lebanon, or what are the next steps in Israel?