The NAS Training Programme

Archaeology is a challenging combination of theory, detective work and practical skills. It could be described as the ultimate multi-discipline, especially when practised underwater. All the activities that interest you underwater are involved in archaeology - survey, photography, remote sensing, wreck diving, night diving, excavation, use of tools, helmet diving, salvage, etc. All are integral parts of this enormous subject. For non-divers there are a host of logistical and management tasks, surface orientated techniques and post fieldwork analysis.

Part I Course at Fort Bovisand

If you want to learn more about archaeology, practice the techniques involved - above or below the water, and perhaps become involved in a project here or abroad... The NAS Training Programme is the answer.

The Programme consists of a one day Introductory course & Parts I - IV, a series of progressively more advanced courses, all with a strong emphasis on practical work. Most of our courses run over weekends, but longer field schools are organised during the summer.

The NAS Training Programme

Introduction to Foreshore and Underwater Archaeology.

This one day course has an emphasis on shipwreck archaeology and includes practical sessions on underwater site surveying techniques, 'dry' sessions covering the principles of nautical archaeology, past and present projects and how you can contribute to our knowledge of the past. This course will appeal to students, sports divers, non-divers, in fact anyone who has an interest in the past. Divers need CMAS 1 * or equivalent.

BSAC and SAA Divers attending this course are entitled to apply for a 'Basic Archaeological Diver' skill development certificate. PADI divers can apply for a 'Basic Archaeology Certificate' on some of our courses.
The NAS Introductory course is a prerequisite for attending the NAS Part 1 course

NAS Part I Certificate in Foreshore and Underwater Archaeology

This is a 2 day course normally run over a weekend. The course builds on the skills and principles introduced during the 'Introductory' course. The practical skills are in a more challenging open water environment. The course includes the use of 3-D survey programmes, project planning, conservation of waterlogged finds and geophysical survey techniques. (Divers need CMAS 2 * or equivalent).

BSAC and SAA Divers can apply for an 'Archaeological Diver Certificate' from their respective organisations.

The NAS Introductory course is a prerequisite for attending the NAS Part 1 course

NAS Part II Certificate in Foreshore and Underwater Archaeology

Consists of attendance of the equivalent of 2 days of conferences, and the producton of a short survey report.

NAS Part III Advanced Certificate in Foreshore and Underwater Archaeology

This qualification is achieved by attending either weekend courses, field schools, or working on archaeological sites. The courses include: conservation, archaeological science, finds illustration, photography, use of Remotely Operated Vehicles, advanced diving equipment, area survey using geophysical techniques such as side scan sonar, underwater survey techniques, excavation strategies and methods and IT skills. The main objective of the Part III syllabus is to help develop a competent field worker who would be an asset to any project.

NAS Part IV Certificate in Foreshore and Underwater Archaeology

This is the final element of the NAS Programme, and provides a certification level for a fieldworker capable of supervising on site in conjunction with an archaeological director.

An Introduction to foreshore and underwater archaeology

This is the entry level course to the NAS Training Programme and is aimed at introducing nautical archaeology to divers and non-divers, and to promote their interest in the subject. It provides a broad-based view of the subject by covering a wide range of topics.

The objectives of the course are that participants should:

• have been introduced to the basic principles and scope of nautical archaeology
• appreciate the importance of our nautical heritage and the need for the recording, protection and preservation of the underwater heritage
• have been given the necessary knowledge to undertake a basic pre-disturbance site survey

The emphasis during the practical sessions is on surveying and recording. In addition, the theory component stresses the need for the conservation and preservation of the underwater cultural heritage. The format involves a one day course (usually over a weekend) which is conducted by approved tutors and instructors. Certain parts of the course can be adapted to suit the special requirements of the individual groups taking part.

The minimum diving qualification level for those taking part in the pool exercises is CMAS l-Star or equivalent, e.g. BSAC Ocean Diver, SAA Open Water Diver, or PADI Open Water. The 'Introductory' course is not examined and participants are provided with a certificate of attendance only.

The Introduction course is a prerequisite for attending the Part I Certificate in Underwater and Foreshore Archaeology course

NAS Part II: Intermediate certificate in foreshore and underwater archaeology

The two aspects of NAS Part II are:-

Submission of a short survey project report.

The report has to conform to a number of criteria and guidelines (a summary of the main aspects are on the following page) against which it will be assessed.

The 'Guidance Notes' and further help with the project can be obtained from the NAS office. The report can be submitted by an individual, small or even a large group, provided all of the group have contributed to the data gathering and report writing. Those involved in group projects should consider writing individual reports based on collective data.

Attendance of the equivalent of 2 days of archaeological conferences.

As the course content up to NAS Part I concentrates on shipwreck archaeology the aim of the conference attendance is to give participants the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of archaeology.

The 2 day conference requirement can be accumulated by attending individual lectures, short seminars or longer conferences. They do not have to be exclusively maritime related events. Participants are expected to have their attendance confirmed by the conference organiser or a NAS representative.

The Batavia and Seven Provinces

NAS Part II Project Guidance notes

NAS Part II Approved Conferences

NAS Part III: Advanced certificate in foreshore and underwater archaeology

The NAS Part III component of the Programme will provide the major formal teaching element, in that participants will either:-

• attend a full-time field school, often based around the work on an actual archaeological site
• or attend a series of modules in specific techniques

Either option will include a minimum of 100 contact teaching hours. This will involve lectures, onsite demonstrations and practical exercises in many of the techniques of archaeology underwater (including section drawing, datum positioning, recording in situ, sampling deposits, excavation strategies and methods). Workshops will be held where the students will obtain practical experience of the handling of archaeological materials, first-aid conservation, finds drawing and photography.

The main objective of the NAS Part III course is to produce a competent underwater fieldworker who has the technical knowledge to be an asset to any project. The minimum diving qualification standard for the aspects which include open-water work is CMAS 2-Star or equivalent (e.g. BSAC Sport Diver, SAA Club Diver or PADI Advanced Open- water). The Part III "Advanced Archaeological Diver Certificate" (NAS International 3 star) will be awarded to participants after successful attendance of all the components of the field school, either in one session or in weekend modular form.

Submission of a portfolio of work and course notes will be required for assessment by the NAS Training Director and validation board.

Syllabus:-

To achieve NAS Part III, students will need to complete a series of courses covering a sufficiently broad area of the syllabus. The syllabus consists of 7 core subject groups:-

1. Research and Information Technology
2. Archaeological Science
3. Survey
4. Excavation
5. Recording
6. Conservation
7. Ancient Technology

NAS Part III Assessment Criteria:-

• Students must accumulate 100 points in 6 out of the 7 core subject groups. Points are awarded on the basis of a full point for each practical contact hour and 1/2 point for a theoretical contact hour. The points allocation is set according to assessment of the course syllabus.
• A maximum of 28 points can be obtained in any 1 core subject.
• A minimum of 8 points must be obtained for each of the 6 chosen subject groups.
• Experience cannot be considered retrospectively.
• For those seeking recognition of their qualification by the Institute of Field Archaeologists all course material and assignments will be required to be assessed in the form of a portfolio submitted to the NAS Training Officer.

NAS Part IV: Diploma in foreshore and underwater archaeology

The final element and the highest grade of the NAS Programme is the Part IV Certificate. The primary objective is to provide a certification level for a field-worker capable of supervising a work programme on an archaeological site, in conjunction with the archaeological director. This component will not involve further formal teaching although guidance and advice will be provided at all stages by the NAS Training Director. To qualify for the final certificate the candidate must have fulfilled the following requirements:

• have worked on at least three different archaeological sites for a minimum of twelve full weeks in total since they completed their NAS Part II certificate.
• have completed a dissertation or extended portfolio of work on an approved project or topic including a full report prepared to publication standard.

The Training Director will encourage participants who are awarded the Part IV Certificate to publish their work in the appropriate journal and pass details to the relevant Sites and Monuments Record.

It is expected that participants in the NAS Programme who wish to proceed to higher levels than Part IV would apply to a University or other higher education institution to undertake a suitable degree or diploma course.