Oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and streams hide a treasure trove of heritage - from shipwrecks and artworks to everyday objects. Today, however, these underwater artefacts are in danger, due to looting, exploitation of marine resources, climate disruption, and pollution. 

UNESCO seeks to protect and raise awareness of these traces of the past, which tell a unique tale of humanity. Our 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage establishes a common framework for the identification, preservation and sustainability of objects that have been immersed for at least 100 years.

banner_underwater cultural heritage

Key numbers

78
States Parties
8
STAB Missions
28
Capacity building sessions

in four regions for more than 450 participants

Publications

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) related legislation and programme review in the five countries in Micronesia
Forrest, Craig
UNESCO Office in Apia
Jeffery, Bill
2018
UNESCO
0000366460
Report on underwater cultural heritage education and training in the Arab Region
Khalil, Emad
UNESCO Office Cairo and Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States
2021
UNESCO
0000375262
The UNESCO training manual for the protection of the underwater cultural heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean
UNESCO
Netherlands. Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Cultural Heritage Agency
2021
UNESCO
0000375747
Underwater Cultural Heritage and Small Island Developing States
UNESCO Office in Apia
International Conference on Small Island Developing States
2014
0000231218
Training manual for the UNESCO foundation course on the protection and management of underwater cultural heritage in Asia and the Pacific
UNESCO Office Bangkok and Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific
2012
0000217234