Why i love dwp

13 Jul Why i love dwp

by Gabrielle Miller

This is my second year as a returning advocate with DWP.

Participating in activities this year reminds me why I wanted to do archaeology in the first place. Archaeology, to many, is a topic of fascination, an opportunity to be an outsider observing a culture foreign to them, and a way to uncover stories of the past. Many, like myself and others, are drawn to the vision of DWP and see archaeology as a tool used to tell stories underrepresented in history books of those marginalized by a colonial society. Though my career is in terrestrial archaeology, DWP gives me an opportunity to expand my capacity for storytelling in the aquatic environments that our ancestors worked, lived, and died in.

Day 1 of DWP is always a busy day jam-packed with introductions to the various histories, methodologies, and techniques central to doing this type of work. Spending the day learning through deeply informative presentations and practicing mapping on a mock wreck in the sweltering sun makes the introductory day one of the most daunting. This year is no exception, but being able to attend the opening of DWP’s incredible exhibit at the History of Diving Museum puts it all into perspective. Learning proper diving techniques, survey strategies, and being mindful about the precision of our measurements may seem like an insurmountable goal at times. However, knowing that these continued efforts over the years have been tools of liberation and healing makes this work all the more worthwhile.