Beneath the Inland Seas: Michigan's Underwater Archaeological Heritage

In Beneath the Inland Seas: Michigan’s Underwater Archaeological Heritage, authors John R. Halsey and Wayne R. Lusardi have compiled a valuable resource on the practice and development of maritime archaeology in a state that boasts over 38,000 sq. mi. of bottomlands in four Great Lakes. As state archaeologist and state maritime archaeologist, respectively, Halsey and Lusardi combine years of professional knowledge with contributions from a variety of avocational divers and researchers to produce a volume sure to appeal to both specialists and interested members of the public alike. The state archaeologists defi ne maritime archaeology and outline its potential before delving briefl y into issues of theory, methodology, and legislation, focused on the Great Lakes. An additional 13 contributors discuss signifi cant shipwrecks from individual state bottomland preserves. An impressive bibliography complements attractive archival images and photographs of wrecks in situ, resulting in a work that few interested in Great Lakes history and maritime archaeology can afford to ignore. In their introductory chapters, Halsey and Lusardi provide a concise geologic and cultural history of the region from the prehistoric period to the present, while suggesting the unique possibilities of archaeology to offer new lines of evidence about this history. In keeping with Christer Westerdahl’s infl uential idea of maritime cultural landscapes and developments in foreshoreand inundatedsites archaeology, the authors emphasize that maritime archaeological sites are not confi ned to the historical shipwrecks that fi ll the popular imagination, and instead encompass everything from shore installations to ancient fi sh weirs. The perennial fascination with the fi rst European ship lost in the lakes, LaSalle’s ill-fated Griffon, is used to introduce a thoughtful summary of the evolution of shipping on the Great Lakes, reminding the reader of the intimate link between maritime transport and larger trends in social and economic history. Halsey does not neglect marine architecture, however, and discusses the transition from sail to steam on the lakes, and the development of bulk carriers from modest wooden-hulled vessels to the thousand-foot steel behemoths of today. These transformations are illustrated with individual examples, and the dozens of ships mentioned by name are all accompanied by their dates of operation in parentheses. This level of detail is sure to delight any ship enthusiast. Of particular value is Halsey’s discussion of legal and professional issues in Michigan maritime archaeology. He cuts through the jargon inherent in any legislation to define “bottomlands,” and explains that the state of Michigan claims ownership of all abandoned wrecks in these areas, with the exception of those protected under federal law or the sovereign immunity of foreign states. This information will be of interest to sport divers curious about the legal status of the wrecks they visit, as well as professionals working in other states or countries. Halsey also describes the establishment, organization, and mission of the state’s 10 Great Lakes State Bottomland Preserves, which complement the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Isle Royale National Park. He stresses the vital role avocational groups such as the Michigan Underwater Preserve Council (MUPC) continue to play in the success of these initiatives. The authors’ emphasis on the many successful partnerships between volunteers, enthusiasts, and professional archaeologists is a major strength of the work, and a refreshing change from the marginalization of those without formal academic credentials by some archaeologists. Michigan’s proactive and collaborative approach in managing its underwater cultural heritage should serve as a model for other states, although some aspects of the relevant legislation remain dubious. While Public Act 452 of 1988 was apparently enacted to curtail abuses of