Towards the integrated management of Scotland's cultural heritage: Examining historic shipwrecks as marine environmental resources

Shipwrecks are a neglected area of archaeological resource management, research and investigation. They are increasingly being considered as important marine resources despite being non-renewable. However, they are increasingly subject to impacts given the rate of global marine and coastal development. Paradoxically, this growth increases the rate of discovery of previously unknown wreck sites, exposing them to potential risk but also offering more opportunities for the implementation of appropriate management structures which are sensitive to archaeological preservation but at the same time promote awareness, access and involvement. In this paper current approaches to the management of Scotland's shipwreck heritage are examined in the context of overseas initiatives. Case-studies for further research at national (National Monuments Record of Scotland), regional (scuttled German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow) and local (Burntisland Designated Historic Wreck Site) level are summarized, and future shipwreck heritage management strategies are discussed.