In 2013 the Nautical Archaeology Society and the Maritime Archaeological Research Laboratory (MARELab) of the Archaeological Research Unit, University of Cyprus, agreed to the development of collaborative international educational fieldschools in underwater archaeology aimed at students of archaeology at the University of Cyprus, the wider community on Cyprus as well as international participants including students from the eastern Mediterranean region.
The principle aims of the underwater archaeology field schools are; to develop the underwater archaeological skills of students of archaeology at the University of Cyprus, the wider community on Cyprus, students of archaeology from the eastern Mediterranean region as well as other international participants; to foster and build collaborative relationships between all participants attending field schools; and to encourage inclusion of professional divers on Cyprus to work together with archaeologists and share their knowledge and skills. So far four fieldschools have been completed (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019). It is the belief of the partners that the activities of the eastern Mediterranean regional training centre will build strong collaborative relationships between all parties and across geographical boundaries. The partners designed a series of underwater archaeology fieldschools for students of archaeology and professional divers.
