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Any Mysterious Underwater Archeological Sites in Aus.?
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:55 pm
by SaintGuy
I asked this or a similar question a couple of years ago, and one of you guys pointed me to Sarina, and the Ancient Phoenician mining ruins there, including the stone jetty at Freshwater Point. I met the local researcher, Val Osborne. He suggested that not only is it very low vis., but huge tiger sharks are on patrol. He also mentioned the croc hiding in a stream entrance not far away, and where there are small crocs there are....larger crocs. So I didn't don my gear and hop in.
I now have an underwater camera, and would love to explore an ancient underwater (forbidden) archeological site and submit the images with story to a dive mag.
Are there any worthwhile and reachable sites to explore? Any info or stories would be most welcome.
Re: Any Mysterious Underwater Archeological Sites in Aus.?
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:10 pm
by Shazzoir
Hi there,
I'm only aware of the underwater places up near Broome, Darwin, Papua New Guinea and such, which are the resting places of some old wartime aircraft and potentially also the underwater graves of some Australian or other wartime pilots from other countries. As such, they are classified as historically significant, and should not be tampered with. If you were to go into such areas, I'm sure the maritime authorities and Australian War Graves commission might take a dim view of it. If you were to just look and photograph, and respect the sites, a forward approach to the suitable authorities might be beneficial.
Shipwrecks around the place are also of the same ilk -- that is, protected. Why not find some flooded valleys where towns have been inundated and do a story on that? It's a bit different, and while not strictly marine-oriented, would involve some underwater skills.....
Just a thought.
Kind regards,
Shazz
Re: Any Mysterious Underwater Archeological Sites in Aus.?
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:23 am
by SaintGuy
Thanks, Shazz. I'm actually thinking of sites that don't fit into the current paradigm. We have plenty of diveable wrecks down here, the ship's graveyard outside Port Phillip Heads has many commonly dived wrecks. We now even have the HMAS Canberra
I know of the cottage at Jindabyne, and I'm pretty sure an article has been done on it.
There is also meant to be an old Phoenician wreck off the WA coast. I'm just thinking something like Mahabalipuram, or Poompahur (Graham Hancock stuff) or Nan Madol, or Yonaguni, except in Australia. There's an ancient Phoenician port at Jervis Bay? Now that would be perfect. Easily accessible, not too far to travel, good vis...