The fourth Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS) was held for the first time by Aix-Marseille University (AMU), France, between the 25th-26th of November 2021, in a hybrid format. MAGS 2021 was organized by HFF scholars from Aix-Marseille University and the MoMArch team (Master of Maritime and Coastal Archaeology – AMU). The symposium was supported by the Foundation and the Institute of Mediterranean Archaeology – ARKAIA.

Once more, MAGS gave the opportunity for early career researchers from the eastern Mediterranean and beyond to present their work in a friendly and supporting environment. Papers and posters presented ranged from shipbuilding, fishing activity in antiquity, ceramic studies to harbour archaeology, geoarchaeology, and underwater cultural heritage management. The Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Red Sea, the North Sea, as well as rivers in Europe were the geographical regions included in the discussion.

All presentations generated fruitful discussions and exchanges between early career researchers and renowned experts from the respective fields. Three key-note speakers also presented ongoing projects and topics of current interest regarding maritime archaeology, namely Prof. Christophe Morhange, Prof. Jean Christophe Sourisseau, and Dr. Athena Trakadas.

MAGS is a window to the future direction that maritime archaeology is heading towards. Interdisciplinary research is bringing to light new approaches and promising results. New ideas, such as archaeoharbour engineering, promising sites on the Syrian coastline, interesting projects in virtual reconstruction and underwater cultural heritage management, early modern maritime landscape and historical interpretations through a post-colonial lens were presented. This event represents the enthusiasm and passion of the young generation of researchers working in the HFF region and beyond.

No HFF bursaries were awarded this year since the symposium was held in a hybrid format due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The MAGS symposium will be published through the HFF online publications in the form of short reports. For more information about previous MAGS events click here.