Chapter 15This chapter deals with side scan sonar, not because I believe it is superior to other
available technologies but rather because it is the tool that I have used in the context of
a number of off shore surveys. It is therefore opportune to share an approach that I have
developed and utilised in a number of projects around the Mediterranean. These projects
were conceptualised together with local partners that had a wealth of local experience
in the countries of operation. Over time it became clear that before starting to plan a
project it is always important to ask oneself the obvious question – but one that is oft en
overlooked: “what is it that we are setting out to achieve”? All too oft en, researchers and
scientists approach a potential research project with blinkers. Such an approach may prove
to be a hindrance to cross-fertilisation of ideas as well as to inter-disciplinary cooperation.
Therefore, the aforementioned question should be followed up by a second query: “and
who else can benefi t from this project?” Beneficiaries may vary from individual researchers
of the same field such as archaeologists interested in other more clearly defined historic
periods (World War II, Early Modern shipping etc) to other researchers who may be
interested in specific studies (African amphora production for example). Finally there may
also be researchers from other disciplines such as marine biology, marine geology and
volcanology. From the same data sets gathered by marine archaeologists such scientists
can study and consider a variety of interests which may including, but not limited to,
habitat mapping, seabed classification and the identification of submerged volcanic vents.
Answers to such questions may not be immediately forthcoming but it is essential to
keep potential collaborations in mind when planning methodologies. In the light of this
it would be opportune to explore the resolutions and other desiderata that fellow marine
scientists require when planning their surveys. Although it may prove impossible to match
their exact parameters it could well be that some small compromises are made in order
to accommodate these requirements. Given that the expenses related to off shore survey
are very elevated, it is hardly conceivable that the data acquired with adapted parameters will be refused by fellow marine scientists. Such a practice does not only make economic
sense but is also good scientific etiquette. Such selfless cooperation may lead to scientific
reciprocation with data eventually fl owing both ways.peer-reviewe
