The Symposium is associated with “Educational Programme in Nautical Archaeology and the History of Navigation, 16 th –17 th centuries”, a project supported by the UNESCO Participation Programme 2008-2009. It is headed by the University of Zadar, in partnership with the University Ca' Foscari of Venice and the University of Zagreb's Centre for Mediterranean Studies in Dubrovnik.

The Issue:

The complex nautical history of the Adriatic Sea in the mediaeval and post - mediaeval periods has never been sufficiently studied through archaeological finds and historical sources . The period of Venetian dominion in the Adriatic was a very dynamic one, particularly along the eastern Adriatic coast where the Republic of Dubrovnik had developed its own independent naval power. Aside from limited number of archival sources and artistic representations, little is known of the types of ships that sailed in this period.

An interest in post-mediaeval shipwrecks signalled the beginning of a programme of organized research and protection of Croatia's underwater cultural heritage. The first underwater archaeological operations took place in 1949 on an eighteen century wreck in the bay of Veliki Molunat, south of Dubrovnik. Three other shipwrecks dating to the 16 th and the 17 th century were explored in the late 1960s and 1970s. After this first enthusiastic period, when the wrecks had been partially excavated, interest in the study of post-mediaeval wrecks ceased, and the excavations were never completed. This hiatus has led to the loss of the most valuable information on post-mediaeval Adriatic shipbuilding, seafaring and trade, while free access to the sites and the aggressive action of wood-eating molluscs ( Teredo navalis ) have seriously endangered the remains left on the seabed.

The shipwrecks from the 16 th and 17 th centuries—so rich in the volume and variety of their cargoes and ship's equipment, as well as their complex hull arrangement—present serious problems of excavation, accurate documentation and the conservation of raised or in situ archaeological finds.

In order to glean as much information as possible from this material, and to place these shipwrecks in a broad historical context, collaborations with experts in various fields must be organized.

Activities:

The central activity of the project is focused on a well preserved shipwreck near the promontory of Ratac. The organization of a training course for students is combined with a short term seminar at the University of Zadar, visits to other relevant sites, and a research program focused on gathering all the available documentation. The activities are designed mainly for students from the universities that are involved in the organization of the project, but they are also available to other interested students.

In order to share our experience, learn effective practices from other countries and hold discussions at the academic level, an international symposium will be organized and its results published in a final publication. A proposal for a long-term project focusing on the research and protection of mediaeval and post-mediaeval naval heritage in the Adriatic region will be prepared using the data we gather in the course of these activities.

The project consists of the following activities:

•  expert surveys of selected sites;
•  a seminar at the University of Zadar;
•  a training course on the Ratac Promontory wreck;
•  a symposium in Dubrovnik;
•  a final publication of the project's achievements and the proceedings of the conference.

Aims of the Project:

One of the main aims of the project is to gather a group of experts at the interdisciplinary level and to raise their awareness of the mediaeval and post-mediaeval period by drawing attention to the variety and volume of information that can be culled from systematic archaeological and historical research. By involving existing experts and students we will establish a high-quality team capable of designing and accomplishing a long-term project focused on the research and protection of the Adriatic's nautical heritage i n the mediaeval and post-mediaeval periods.

The project also aims to revive the attention and interest of scholars and organizations responsible for the research and protection of underwater cultural heritage to sites that have been abandoned. These sites still hold great potential, but they are rapidly disappearing. They could serve for the elaboration of pilot projects for future work.

By involving experts in the conservation of finds the project aims to demonstrate the complex and demanding conservation processes resulting from the variety of archaeological material. These conservation processes will be identified for future work.

Finally, in accordance to with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Heritage, the project aims to arrive at the best solutions for the protection of sites, either by raising the archaeological material or by protecting it in situ , taking into consideration the possibilities of its whole or partial presentation to the public.