Tag Archives: maritime

Expert Presenter | Past Preservers

Thrilled to share that I am now represented by Past Preservers media agency as an Expert Presenter for documentary/media projects, together with Dr Peter B Campbell and Dr Chloe Duckworth! Thank you Nigel J. Hetherington (Founder & CEO) & Past Preservers team for having me on board!

Great meeting fellow team members at the Past Preservers gathering in LA today! Looking forward to new projects… stay tuned!

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“Past Preservers Expert Presenter Agency; Past Preservers People, is excited to announce that our line-up of presenters has grown with the addition of marine archaeologists Dr Carmen Obied & Dr Peter Campbell & Dr Chloë Duckworth a lecturer in archaeological science.

Carmen is both an underwater archaeologist and international model. Born in Seville, Spain and raised on the seaside in Lisbon, Portugal by her English/Scottish mother and Egyptian/Spanish father – so she can speak 6 languages. She grew up immersed underwater and seeking adventure, eventually awaking her curiosity in exploring the ancient maritime world.

Carmen on archaeology “The world of archaeology continues to inspire – and there is still so much to discover and preserve! By engaging with diverse multilingual audiences in science and education through a combination of research, technology and multimedia, we can inspire the value of cultural-environmental heritage. I have made it my mission to keep bridging gaps between academia and the public – we all deserve access to knowledge! I am excited to join the presenting team at Past Preservers!…”

Read more here: http://pastpreservers.com/our-presenter-agency-now-includes-twenty-world-class-academics/ | http://pastpreservers.com/our-presenters/

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Past Preservers

Past Preservers:
‘Expert of the Week’

Thank you Past Preservers, I was thrilled to recently be featured as your ‘Expert of the Week’! 😊 For those interested or curious, check out my profile on the expert database and get in touch for any archaeological media & documentary projects! http://www.pastpreservers.com/our-experts

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Photography credits: (left, London) @brianrolfephoto | (centre, Peru) @eslopez128 | (right, Iceland) @laivo

IKUWA6: Underwater Archaeology Down Under

Last month I had the great opportunity to present at IKUWA 6 underwater archaeology conference, in association with the University of Southampton, UK (where I was recently awarded my Ph.D). IKUWA 6 is the International Congress of Underwater Archaeology, and one of the largest in the field. This was the first time it was being held outside of Europe, with Australia’s Fremantle (Freo) as the chosen host location for the sixth conference, taking place at the Western Australian Maritime Museum. The conference coincided with the 400th anniversary of the first evidenced European landing in Western Australia undertaken by the Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog.

This being also the first time I landed in Australia, I had a few days beforehand with family in Perth to visit the koalas, kangaroos and wallabies roaming around, and enjoy beautiful sandy beaches with the cooling local afternoon breeze known as the Fremantle Doctor.

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As the conference unfolded, interesting discussions sparked at the UNESCO Roundtable talks on the first day,  with leading experts discussing issues and potential measures to further advocate for the protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. The next series of days exhibited underwater archaeological discoveries emerged from around the world, exploring a wide range of themes and topics, such as navigation and trade, 3D & GIS technology, and the importance of capacity building. These were presented in the form of both talks and posters, providing different interactive ways of engaging with the research (and its researchers). During the IKUWA 6 conference,  I co-presented a poster with Steven Lopez titled ‘Sensory Navigation in the Roman Mediterranean: The Levantine & Ionian Seas’, which explored the use of the senses in Roman navigation, drawing on two case-studies. First, a theoretical approach of the Levantine coastline, followed by the practical sailed journey along the Albanian coastline during our 2016 Albanian Marine Science Expedition. See abstract here. Also at IKUWA6, Dr Lucy Blue (University of Southampton & Honor Frost Froundation) presented a discussion on the underwater archaeological survey we undertook in Oman last year and its role in capacity building in the region. 

The conference was filled with so many interesting, influential people and groundbreaking research and discoveries, all gathered in an idyllic maritime setting in beautiful Australia!

Thank you IKUWA6 team for hosting such a great conference!

Albania Marine Science Expedition

Albania 2016 Marine Science Expedition

“Expedition finds remains of fortified Roman port are much larger than previously thought”.

Read full article about our recent marine science expedition in Albania, featured on Physics News (Phys.org).


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Update (January): The latest issue of Submerged Heritage is out, with great findings from various underwater archaeology projects, and includes an article on our Albanian Marine Science Expedition! (pp.58-60).  Check out the articles here: www.icua.hr/images/dokumenti/2/Bekic_ed_Submerged_Heritage_6_Web_Final.pdf

Article/ Project led by Peter B. Campbell , with a team composed of marine scientists and archaeologists working together with the Albanian Center for Marine Research, National Coastal Agency, Albanian Navy, and NGO Deep Blue Explorers. Photos by Peter, and Steven Lopez.

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For an insight into our sailing journey and expedition, check out my blog post.

Shipwrecks & Runways

VALPARAISO! As the bus turned beyond a mountain pass, I was suddenly welcomed by an explosion of kaleidoscopic colours of Santiago’s bohemian sister town, known to the locals as Valpo! And my new home. A dynamic harbour-town built over 45 hills on which its traditional elevators, ascensores, still trundle up and down the steep hills, cerros. From atop you breathe in this city with all its beautiful chaos, the same views that inspired the Chilean poet and activist Pablo Neruda’s poetry, and many others. This city re-awakened my senses and thirst for creativity. At every turn, I was faced with gritty multi-hued houses and alleys, with the town acting as a canvas for inspiring street art representing post-dictatorship progressive political expressions and movements. It was great to dive and explore Valparaiso’s bay, aside from the cold Pacific waters! The many shipwrecks and artefacts discovered in its bay continue to give us clues into its historic past, having been a strategic port during the gold rush for trading vessels rounding Cape Horn, which led to its boom and cosmopolitan nature. Street performers and Latin rhythms always resonated across Valpo, bringing the streets to life. Art festivals showcased influential artists like Chilean rapper and activist Ana Tijoux. I even made it onto the local newspaper once, enjoying a wine tasting event which gathered traditional wineries from around the country! It is also the town where I experienced my first earthquake – though common in Chile, the sudden strong trembling that pulsated through the apartment shook me! A fond memory was my weekly stroll by the seaside where I would be greeted by an unexpected horde of large sun-bathing playful seals!  This is Valpo!

[excerpt from my ‘Snippets of a Nomadic Year: From South America to the Balkans‘ article published in F*Shift Magazine‘s Explorer issue, Oct 2016, pp. 40-41]


I thought I’d kick off this creative trigger with my first post to this new blog…a venture I’ve been meaning to take on for a while. I lead somewhat of a double life: I’m an underwater archaeologist and international model. And so here it is, ‘Shipwrecks & Runways’ – a glimpse into my adventures around the world stemming from two of my main pursuits. Hope you enjoy the ride! 🙂

P.S. To follow my various pursuits, check out:

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The whole city of Valparaiso acts as a canvas for amazing street art and graffiti representing progressive political and creative expressions and movements.
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Valparaiso is a charismatic harbour-city, full of colour, art and tradition. Bohemian performers, markets, street art, ascensores… all bring the city to life! It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Bring on the Chilean adventure! 🙂