Marine Spatial Planning Connects Digital Technology, Excavation Equipment with Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things for Underwater Heritage Investigation

Abstract

BackgroundUnderwater cultural heritage (UCH) as a time capsule had accumulated marine ecological biological resources for centuries since sinking until discovery, forming an ecosystem wildly involves multifaceted fields. ProblemThe convention on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), coastal states claim UCH jurisdiction in situ protection. However, foreign countries demand UCH sovereignty to evolve an international political event. Consequently, underwater archaeology preservation and exploitation become a diplomatic intrigue although no human lives beneath the sea.Purpose The purpose of paper attempts to identify significant issues about UCH providing standard operating procedures (SOP), One-Stop service for a comprehensive investigation, and finds a way for international UCH disputes. MethodThe research collected relevant UCH issues from six participants' brainstorming, statistical analysis, and the Chi-Squared test. ResultsResults showed 13 issues about UCH with no significant difference but conversion into seven groups with a significant difference. Finding & ContributionThe top three groups, marine spatial planning (MSP), Digital Technology, Excavation Equipment were identified and contributed to better UCH investigation. The finding transnational, regional level regimes, community collaborative governance offers UCH better preservation.SuggestionFinally, suggestion MSP activating idle assets construct UCH research center through digital technology with excavation equipment and link artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) to improve UCH investigation, and international collaboration.