The coastlines of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) constitute a diverse and culturally significant region, rich in maritime heritage. For millennia, these seas have served as major conduits for trade, migration, and cultural exchange—connecting ancient civilizations and shaping the history of the region. Maritime archaeology allows us to recover and interpret the material traces of this dynamic past, shedding light on how coastal communities lived, travelled, and interacted across the region’s maritime networks.
However, this coastal and submerged heritage is increasingly at risk. Threats such as conflict, looting, rising sea levels, and unchecked coastal development pose serious challenges to the preservation of these invaluable sites. Without timely intervention, we risk losing irreplaceable connections to our shared cultural past. The need to document, study, and safeguard this heritage has never been more urgent.
In response, the Maritime Endangered Archaeology (MarEA) project, in collaboration with the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF), has developed an introductory learning module to explore and promote the understanding of maritime archaeology in the MENA region. Supported by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, this educational resource has been designed specifically for students and the interested public—no prior specialist knowledge is required.
The module comprises four thematic sections, each offering a guided learning experience:
Introduction— Establishes the importance of maritime archaeology in the MENA region and introduces the objectives and scope of the MarEA project (Lecture 1).
Maritime Archaeology in the MENA Region— Investigates the rich maritime history and heritage of the region through two sub-lectures: the Middle East (Lecture 2.1) and North Africa (Lecture 2.2).
Maritime Law— – Provides an overview of the legal frameworks, both international and national, that govern the protection of underwater cultural heritage (Lecture 3).
Threats and Damages to Maritime Archaeology in the MENA Region— Explores a range of threats to maritime heritage sites, including:
An overview of the key issues (Lecture 4.1)
Long-term sea level change and its impact (Lecture 4.2)
Anthropogenic threats such as development and conflict (Lecture 4.3)
Natural environmental challenges (Lecture 4.4)
A case study of the Gaza Map Project, which documents damage and risk to coastal heritage in Gaza (Lecture 4.5)
To support your learning and provide further context, the lectures are underpinned by a Bibliography and Further Reading section. This collection of academic and professional sources forms the basis of the information presented in the module and is strongly recommended for those wishing to explore these subjects in greater depth.
We invite you to engage with this module, deepen your understanding of this important field, and join the growing effort to preserve and protect the maritime heritage of the Middle East and North Africa.
