The training course offered to divers working on the Anse aux Bouleaux project was developed by the Nautical Archaeological Society of Great Britain, an international agency active in underwater archaeology, particularly the excavation of shipwrecks. This organization is in favour of collaboration between specialists and amateur divers, and offers the latter a chance to learn the basics of underwater archaeology. Parks Canada has adapted the course content to conditions in Québec and Canada, placing the emphasis on the protection and conservation of all submerged cultural resources.
New divers from the Groupe de préservation des vestiges subaquatiques de Manicouagan and several other people involved in the project attended the introductory session offered in Baie-Comeau on June 21 and 22, 1997. The first day was devoted to underwater archaeology around the world, the most important sites uncovered to date, the scientific aspects of underwater archaeology, archaeological surveys, and the techniques used to record basic information. A data recording exercise held in a pool during the evening allowed participants to learn techniques used to measure objects and plot them on a site map. Obviously, the course dealt with safety issues, as well as the principles that justify archaeological work on underwater sites.
The next day, once the data recorded under water had been transcribed and the artifact recording method presented, divers and specialists discussed certain points. The question of conservation was broached, given that objects can deteriorate rapidly once they have been removed from their marine environment. The issue of federal and Québec legislation on the protection of shipwrecks was also raised, prompting many comments on the need for more effective protection and on the role of the general public in safeguarding archaeological remains. Lastly, participants talked about environmental citizenship, or what can be done to ensure that recreational divers who visit underwater archaeological sites do not promote their deterioration by leaving garbage, writing graffiti on or around shipwrecks, removing objects, and so forth.
Through this training course, participants gained an appreciation of the complexity of underwater archaeology and realized that digging, although indispensable, is only one of the many steps involved in a research program aimed at gathering information about the past and disseminating this knowledge in a museum, an interpretation centre or an exhibition.
