David Berg Tuddenham (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology)

As a construction, Maritime Archaeology seems to have had a profound impact on Norwegian Archaeology in the emphasising of the difference between maritime and terrestrial. Norwegian Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) differentiates between land and sea, where CHM under water is organised in a different manner relative to terrestrial archaeology. This is based partly on practical causes, but it also expresses a comprehension of archaeology under water as special in comparison to what can be referred to as mainstream archaeology. This perception of archaeology under water as special is also expressed through the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act that refers to a specific section as an important tool in the governing of archaeology under water.

After 40 years of Norwegian CHM under water and maritime archaeological research, an analysis of this tradition and the dualism to be found within legislation, management and research is therefore necessary. My theoretical point of departure will be Actor Network Theory as presented by Bruno Latour, Michel Callon and John Law. This theory is especially useful to demonstrate how organisation, legislation and the establishment of institutions have contributed to the present perception of a maritimity within Norwegian archaeology.