Archaeology is an ever-evolving field where there is a constant flow of new branches and excavation methods. Thanks to the influx of new technologies and innovations in recent decades, archaeologists have been able to excavate previously inaccessible areas. For example, new underwater equipment and instruments such as proton magnetometers, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profilers, and miniature submarines have allowed archaeologists to dive to the depths of the ocean. As a result, the branch of underwater archeology was created to search for shipwrecks and other artifacts on the ocean floor. The role of underwater archeology has increased in recent years as it allows archaeologists to more accurately interpret the past by integrating information obtained through traditional land-based excavations. An excellent example of the possible contributions of underwater archeology is the Ulu Burun wreck. The Ulu Burun shipwreck is the remains of a Late Bronze Age (~1600 – 1050 BC) trading vessel dated to around 1300 BC. The wreck was discovered in 1982 off the coast of Ulu Burun, near the modern town of Kas, in Turkey. This fifty foot long vessel lay at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of approximately 150 feet. Eleven series of excavations were conducted from 1984 to 1994 to bring the artifacts to the surface for analysis. From this wreck site, archaeologists now have a more detailed and precise understanding of the trade and distribution of goods in the Late Bronze Age. With very little textual information available about this time period, archaeologists knew very little about the objects being traded, the cultures that traded with each other, and the trade routes. The Ulu Burun wrecks act as a time...... middle of paper ......and the Late Bronze Age are presented in underwater archaeology. As a result, there should be a greater push for archaeologists to explore more areas of the ocean to learn about the past. Works Cited Bass, George F. “A Bronze Age Shipwreck at Ulu Burun (Kaş): 1984 Campaign.” JSTOR. American Journal of Archaeology. Network. May 20, 2012. Basso, George F. “Oldest Shipwreck Reveals Bronze Age Splendors.” National Geographic 1987. Print. Bowens, Amanda. Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2009. Print.Gates, Charles. Ancient Cities: The Archeology of Urban Life in the Ancient Near East and in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. London: Routledge, 2003. Print. Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn. Archaeology: theoretical methods and practice. London: Thames&Hudson, 1996. Print.