Underwater Cultural Landscapes of Montenegro is an initiative of the Centre for Archaeology at the Institute for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies of the University of Montenegro. The project was launched in 2023 by the University’s Centre of Archaeology in partnership with Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro.
Discovering a hidden heritage
Beneath the waters of the Montenegrin coast lies a remarkable cultural landscape shaped by centuries of seafaring, trade, conflict, migration and everyday life. Shipwrecks, historic navigation routes, harbours, anchorages and other traces of human activity preserve important evidence of Montenegro’s relationship with the Adriatic Sea.
The project brings this largely hidden heritage closer to the public through scientific research, digital technologies and creative interpretation. By documenting underwater sites and communicating the stories they carry, it connects archaeological research with education, cultural preservation and sustainable tourism.
Our mission
Our mission is to investigate, document, interpret and present the diverse cultural and historical dimensions of Montenegro’s underwater heritage.
Through a multidisciplinary approach and the use of advanced technologies, the project seeks to make underwater cultural heritage accessible not only to researchers and divers, but also to schools, local communities, visitors and audiences around the world. In this way, scientific knowledge becomes a shared cultural resource and a foundation for responsible heritage management.
Project objectives
The project combines research, documentation, education and public engagement. Its principal objectives are to: Produce systematic 2D and 3D documentation of underwater cultural heritage sites Develop an integrated geographic information system, or GIS, database Create an online geoportal, digital platforms and virtual museum experiences Support scientific disciplines associated with underwater and maritime research Strengthen the research and technical capacities of cultural and academic institutions Make archaeological knowledge accessible through innovative digital media Promote sustainable diving tourism and responsibly managed underwater attractions Contribute to the protection, monitoring and long-term management of underwater cultural heritage Digital inventories and accurate site records are particularly important for understanding, protecting and managing underwater heritage. UNESCO likewise identifies inventories, public education and responsible access as essential elements of effective heritage protection.
Documenting the seabed
The project uses traditional archaeological recording alongside contemporary digital technologies.
Research begins with archival and historical study, visual observation, photography and video documentation. These methods are complemented by underwater photogrammetry, remote sensing, sonar survey and the spatial analysis of collected data.
Photogrammetry makes it possible to transform sequences of underwater photographs into detailed and measurable 3D models. These models provide researchers with a permanent digital record that can support interpretation, condition assessment, monitoring and future conservation.
Whenever possible, documentation is conducted without physical contact and without disturbing the archaeological site. This approach follows the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which gives priority to preservation in situ and requires non-destructive survey techniques to be preferred over the recovery of objects.
From data to knowledge
The information gathered during fieldwork is systematically processed and incorporated into a digital database. Archaeological records, photographs, videos, maps, historical sources, 3D models and geospatial data are brought together to create a more complete understanding of each site and its wider maritime landscape.
The resulting database and geoportal will support scientific research and institutional cooperation while contributing to the legal protection, monitoring and management of underwater cultural heritage. Selected materials will also be made publicly accessible through online platforms and virtual museum presentations.
Learning and participation
Public engagement is central to the project. Underwater heritage cannot be preserved through scientific research alone; its value must also be understood and shared by the communities to which it belongs.
The project communicates its findings through: Educational courses, workshops and summer schools Interactive exhibitions featuring photographs and 3D models Virtual-reality visits to underwater cultural heritage sites Virtual museums and other online experiences Short documentary films Radio, television and digital media Public lectures and presentations Multilingual diving guides and interpretive materials These activities allow people who may never dive to explore Montenegro’s underwater heritage and understand its cultural significance. Responsible, non-intrusive public access can strengthen appreciation of underwater sites and encourage their protection.
Building research capacity
The project creates opportunities for researchers, students and heritage professionals to acquire practical experience in underwater archaeology, digital documentation, photogrammetry, remote sensing and geospatial data analysis.
The exchange of knowledge across archaeology, history, conservation, oceanography, hydrography, marine science, tourism and digital technologies strengthens cooperation between institutions. It also contributes to the development of modern systems for protecting and managing underwater cultural heritage in Montenegro.
Heritage and tourism
Montenegro’s underwater cultural heritage has the potential to become an important part of the country’s cultural and tourism identity. When properly researched, interpreted and managed, underwater sites can enrich the visitor experience while supporting coastal communities and local tourism providers.
The project therefore promotes sustainable diving tourism based on knowledge, safety and respect for archaeological sites. Digital exhibitions, virtual experiences and multilingual interpretive materials extend access beyond the diving community, allowing a much wider audience to encounter Montenegro’s maritime past.
Tourism development must remain compatible with heritage protection. Underwater sites are not sources of souvenirs, but irreplaceable archaeological records whose objects, structures and surrounding contexts together tell a larger story.
Research with responsibility
Sites are selected according to their cultural, historical and archaeological significance. Their investigation follows the principles and professional standards established by the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
The Convention promotes preservation in situ as the first option, rejects the commercial exploitation of underwater cultural heritage and encourages responsible public access where it is compatible with protection and management.
Through careful research, digital preservation and public participation, Underwater Cultural Landscapes of Montenegro brings the country’s submerged heritage into view—protecting the material evidence of the past while opening new opportunities for knowledge, education and responsible discovery.