The Maritime Research Division

The Maritime Research Division of the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of South Carolina, Columbia has five legislated mandates:

(1) create and maintain a research database of state underwater archaeology sites;

(2) oversee and implement the Underwater Antiquities Act;

(3) act in concert with the State Historic Preservation Officer for ensuring the adeq

uacy of all underwater archaeological research and the resulting reports of underwater archaeological research carried on in the State by an individual, organization, or other entity whether private or public;

(4) shall conduct or cause to be conducted underwater archaeological field or laboratory investigations, or both, on behalf of and in the best interests of the State at prehistoric and historic sites, and;

(5) establish and maintain an educational program for the training of interested members of the public in the identification, recordation, and registration of submerged archaeological historic property and certify those who have successfully completed such training;

In addition to extensive public education and outreach initiatives, the MRD issues licenses to collect artifacts and fossils from State waters and functions as a custodian for all submerged cultural resources in South Carolina.