Every domain, every field has its pioneers, those who were among the first to take the steps that seem so natural to us today. For the field of underwater archaeology, George Bass was such a forerunner. Known as the father of underwater archaeology, he was one of the persons who laid the foundations for international standards that are today at the core of the 2001 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
"We deeply regret the passing of George Bass, a leader in the protection of underwater cultural heritage," said Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant-Director General for Culture of UNESCO. “He was one of the earliest practitioners of underwater archaeology and the international heritage community owes him a debt of gratitude for his work, mentorship and friendship.”
George Bass oversaw legendary excavations like that of Cape Gelidonya or of the Uluburun wreck in the Mediterranean, which provide centerpieces for major museums and have advanced the knowledge about ancient seafaring and past civilizations. He founded the internationally acclaimed Institute of Nautical Archaeology in 1973, which is today an NGO accredited to the UNESCO 2001 Convention.