The submerged palaeolithic: an opportunity not a problem

Abstract

An awareness of submerged terrestrial archaeology has been present in the literature for nearly a century (Reid 1913). However, over the last two decades there has been a marked increase in interest in this record. Recent work across a broad range of disciplines has enhanced our understanding of issues such as sea level change, coastal exploitation/migrations and human perception of changing environments (Bailey and Flemming 2008; Ingold 2000; Lambeck et al,. 2002; Westley and Dix 2006). Practical research into submerged Palaeolithic archaeology can be both expensive and challenging, especially for earlier periods where material has been subjected to repeated cycles of trans- and regressions. However, the information contained within these deposits is argued to be of great significance, potentially providing evidence for non-analogous conditions and hominin behavioural responses (Bailey and Flemming 2008). This paper will explore the opportunities presented by the submerged Palaeolithic resource, drawing out why the evidence it contains is potentially of great significance. First, it will be argued that we have to reconsider what constitutes the archaeological record and how we attribute value to it. Second, new approaches will be suggested for ways to move research forward, incorporating and utilising all lines of evidence and working towards an ecological approach to understanding and integrating the submerged Palaeolithic

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ORCID for Justin K. Dix: orcid.org/0000-0003-2905-5403

ORCID for Fraser Sturt: orcid.org/0000-0002-3010-990X

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