| Summary: | The history, theory, methods and practice of underwater archaeology, and its application to prehistoric European archaeology are discussed herein. An emphasis is placed on coastal Mesolithic and Neolithic evidence to exemplify the impact of sea level rise on late Stone Age populations, and subsequently on European archaeology. The submerged archaeological sites and material discussed demonstrate the regional and historical background as well as the conditions of preservation and underwater field methodology. The broad themes of submerged site discovery, underwater archaeological methodology, and underwater evidence from Europe during the early Holocene are examined and applied to the eastern Adriatic region. A feasibility study, a pioneering survey of the Slovenian territorial sea, was conducted using a survey strategy developed in southern Scandinavia. Following the discussion of methodology and research design the results of the survey, which include historical, Classical, and prehistoric archaeological material are described. Finally, an application of underwater survey methods and submerged site presupposition are discussed in reference to theoretical future study of the eastern Adriatic coastal zone.
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