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, rese arch and investigation. They are increasingly being considered as important marine resources despite being non-renewable. However, they are increasing ly subject to impacts given the rate of global marine and coastal developme nt. Paradoxically, this growth increases the rate of discovery of previousl y unknown wreck sites, exposing them to potential risk but also offering mo re opportunities for the implementation of appropriate management structure which are sensitive to archaeological preservation but at the same time pr omote awareness, access and involvement. In this paper current approaches t o the management of Scotland's shipwreck heritage are examined in the conte xt 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.