Since 1966, the Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research (DRASSM), under the Ministry of Culture, has been overseeing the submerged French heritage. Located in Marseille, the cradle of underwater archaeology, the DRASSM opens its doors to let us discover its universe.
An emerging discipline
During the 1950s, underwater archaeology was born at the Grand Congloué site in Marseille. Today, the DRASSM is firmly established at the heart of the Phocaean city. In L’Estaque, upon viewing the red ochre building, one loses sight of the thousands of stories it holds. Inside, 37 people are active: preparing for excavations, conserving objects brought to the surface, inventoring new sites, training future archaeologists, and following up on discoveries. In the large hangar, robots used in excavations stand alongside diving gear and sediment vacuum cleaners. Another area, resembling a cold room, preserves the precious underwater finds. However, there are no gold pieces here. “Being an archaeologist fascinates many people,” says Xavier Trautmann, Secretary General of DRASSM, “but our true mission is the protection of heritage.”
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