Publications

This open access volume provides for the first time a comprehensive description and scientific evaluation of underwater archaeological finds referring to human occupation of the continental shelf around the coastlines of Europe and the Mediterranean when sea levels were lower than present. These are the largest body of underwater finds worldwide, amounting to over 2500 find spots, ranging from individual stone tools to underwater villages with unique conditions of preservation. The material reviewed here ranges in date from the Lower Palaeolithic period to the Bronze Age and covers 20 countries bordering all the major marine basins from the Atlantic coasts of Ireland and Norway to the Black Sea, and from the western Baltic to the eastern Mediterranean. The finds from each country are presented in their archaeological context, with information on the history of discovery, conditions of preservation and visibility, their relationship to regional changes in sea-level and coastal geomorphology, and the institutional arrangements for their investigation and protection. Editorial introductions summarise the findings from each of the major marine basins. There is also a final section with extensive discussion of the historical background and the legal and regulatory frameworks that inform the management of the underwater cultural heritage and collaboration between offshore industries, archaeologists and government agencies.

The volume is based on the work of COST Action TD0902 SPLASHCOS, a multi-disciplinary and multi-national research network supported by the EU-funded COST organisation (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). The primary readership is research and professional archaeologists, marine and Quaternary scientists, cultural-heritage managers, commercial and governmental organisations, policy makers, and all those with an interest in the sea floor of the continental shelf and the human impact of changes in climate, sea-level and coastal geomorphology.

The book was inspired by the scientific work carried out by the research group of Nireas International Water Research Center (Nireas-IWRC) at the University of Cyprus in the field of wastewater treatment and reuse. The work is led by Dr. Despo Fatta-Kassinos, who is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of Nireas-IWRC. The group worked together with Antonis Papatheodoulou, one of the Greece’s best children’s storytellers, and developed an interesting educational adventure through which children can understand the vital role of water in life.

There is increasing recognition of the power of children’s early thinking and learning, as well as a belief that science may be of particular importance in early childhood, contributing not only to the future scientific understanding of children, but also to building important skills and attitudes for learning, establishing high levels of scientific literacy and strengthening scientific inquiry. Educating the young generation and increasing awareness on various aspects of the water cycle and wastewater reuse was the motivation for the development of ‘The Secret Handbook of the Blue Circle’.

Six Water Scientists, who are defenders and protectors of the most important substance on the planet (i.e. water), Dr. Tom Atom, Dr. Celia Circle, Dr. Scot Water, Dr. Glow McCrystal, General Claire Clean and Dr. André Antib, are looking for helpers to become new members of their ‘Eternal Blue Circle Society’. The eight Secret Chapters of the book, include among others: knowledge on what water is, its chemical structure and properties, its cycle, its uses and its significance, water scarcity, a historical retrospective of a city’s water supply from antiquity to date, the typical treatment processes applied for the production of drinking water, the water pollution caused by traditional pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern, the processes applied in wastewater treatment plants, and the presence of such contaminants in the environment.

The mission of the members of the ‘Eternal Blue Circle Society’ is to carefully study contaminants of emerging concern and protect water and nature. Suitable for children of six years and upwards, the book also outlines simple ways in which the children can contribute to the protection of water quantity and quality and raise awareness on the topic themselves.

The Impact Assessment Study commissioned by the COST Association to ERDYN and ZSI in January 2019 aimed to evaluate whether participation in COST Actions has positively impacted the careers of researchers and innovators.

Did you know that many COST Actions result in societal and scientific impact? Find out more about it in this publication!

Discover the impact of our networks and much more in the COST report of 2018.

Building bridges of excellence for young researchers is the title of the 2017 COST annual report. This report puts particular focus on the COST Programme as a springboard for young researchers.