Department of Underwater and Underwater Archaeological Research
The Department of Underwater and Underwater Archaeological Research (Drassm) is a department of the Ministry of Culture. It protects, studies and highlights archaeological remains found underwater.
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Drassm operates at sea and in fresh waters, in mainland France and in the overseas departments. It is a national research and management service.
Its headquarters are in Marseille, the cradle of underwater archaeology. Created in 1966 by André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, the Drassm has 38 collaborators in 2023, researchers and administrators.
The oldest underwater archaeology service in the world
Its missions
The Drassm:
- inventory, study, protect, preserve and enhance the submerged archaeological heritage of all marine waters under French jurisdiction
Since its creation, the department has recorded more than 6,000 wrecks on the French coast. - advice and control underwater archaeological sites
He carried out the expertise, led the study and controlled the excavation of more than 1600 underwater and submarine archaeological sites in metropolitan France, overseas and abroad. Many countries have appealed to him: Brunei, Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Malta, Pakistan, Philippines, Solomon Islands, United States... - trains diving archaeologists
It welcomes them on the construction sites, puts at their disposal the resources of its documentary pole, is involved in a specialized university curriculum - manages the collections archaeological objects from the maritime public domain and organizes their deposit in museums
The presentation brochure of the Drassm
Explore, protect, study and enhance the sunken archives of humanity, a well-documented brochure in color to learn everything about archaeological, underwater and underwater research in France.
Its areas of intervention
At sea
The Drassm controls a maritime space with planetary dimensions: 11 million km2 of exclusive economic zone, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean.
It manages and values a considerable heritage and a great diversity, from the cave Cosquer (-28000 years) to the wrecks of the landing (1944).
He has unique deep-sea experience.
In inland waters
The Drassm can exercise its expertise on archaeological operations carried out in rivers, lakes and all fresh waters, if the regional prefect so requests. It can ensure scientific and technical control.
Each year, the Drassm presents its activity report to the National Council for Archaeological Research, within the Submarine Operations Commission.
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