Specialty Courses

Get to grips with QGIS and start mapping the past—no prior GIS experience required. Learn how to visualise, analyse, and share archaeological data. This online introductory course is designed for those new to GIS, with a focus on using QGIS—a free, open-source software widely used in archaeology. Through seven short video tutorials (total 1.5 hours), hands-on exercises, and assignments, you'll gain practical skills in setting up projects, sourcing and creating data, using tools, and sharing results—particularly for maritime contexts. Modules are: Introduction to GIS, Setting up a Project, Data Sources, Creating Data, Modifying Data, Interrogating Data, Other Tools, and Displaying and Sharing Data. The course is self-paced but includes a mandatory one-hour live Q&A session (multiple dates and times in March 2026) with an expert tutor to complete the course and earn 5 NAS credits.£40 course fee. Ideal for archaeologists, students, and heritage professionals.Run with in partnership with MSDS Marine and MSDS Heritage

Unlock the secrets of historic artillery and gain practical skills to identify and record cannons both on land and underwater. This eLearning course explores the development of cannon from the late Middle Ages to the 19th century, focusing on European examples. Learn how to recognise key features of historic cannon, understand their archaeological significance, and apply professional recording techniques. Modules are: Introduction to Cannons, The History and Development of Cannons, The Cannon Assemblage, Site Formation and Conservation, Cannon Wreck Case Studies, Recording Cannons, Researching Cannons, How to 'Read' a Cannon and The Cannon Detective. Perfect for archaeologists, divers, heritage professionals and enthusiasts, the course takes 4–6 hours to complete (self-paced) and costs £55 (5 credits for NAS members). Course development has been supported by a grant from Historic England.  

Learn how to capture the past in 3D—create accurate digital models of artefacts, features, and sites using photogrammetry. This beginner-friendly eLearning course introduces the theory and techniques behind photogrammetry, with a focus on maritime archaeology. Explore photography fundamentals, equipment setup, survey planning, data processing, and how to avoid common errors. You’ll gain the knowledge to generate high-quality 3D models for research, monitoring, and presentation. Modules are: Photography and Photogrammetry for Maritime Archaeology, Development and Uses of Photography in Archaeology, Introduction to Photogrammetry, EquipmentPhotography Basics and Techniques, Survey Planning for Photogrammetry, Processing your Data, Avoiding Errors, Optimising Outputs and Publishing Results and Monitoring Archaeological Sites. Ideal for archaeologists, students, divers and heritage enthusiasts. The course takes 4–6 hours to complete at your own pace.Course fee: £55 (5 credits for NAS members). Note: A reasonably modern computer with an AMD or Nvidia graphics card is required for 3D modelling. MAC users will be limited to one recommended software option. Course development has been supported by a grant from Historic England There is an annual in-person practical course taught at Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth, UK. Check the NAS events site for upcoming dates.

This online introductory course for people with little or no experience of GIS will provide an overview of features in QGIS – a freely available GIS software package commonly used by archaeologists. While the skills learned during this course are applicable to archaeology in general, there will be a focus on use of the programme for maritime archaeology. In their own time, participants will watch seven recorded video tutorials (total time 1.5hours) with accompanying exercises and assignments - therefore the overall course will take several hours depending on the participant's ability. To complete the course and earn NAS credits it is compulsory to attend at least one of three hour long live online sessions with an expert tutor to experience a final presentation and ask any required questions. They are scheduled 10, 15 and 20 March 2025. £40 Course fee. 5 credits for NAS members.

Dive safer - Learn to identify explosive and environmental hazards on wrecks and support safe, informed diving on military sites.  This online course is a prerequisite for NAS/MoD diving projects and will equip you to assess, record, and understand the risks posed by military wrecks. You’ll learn how to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s efforts to investigate and mitigate pollution from sunken warships both in UK waters and overseas. The course includes 4 hours of pre-recorded videos (available ahead of time) and two live online sessions on 18 and 20 November 2025, 7–9pm GMT. Participation in all elements is required to earn 5 NAS credits.£40 course fee. Course content (pre-recorded modules): Module 1: Introduction to the MoD Wrecks Management Programme Understand the UK MoD’s global work in researching, monitoring, and remediating pollutants from historic military wrecks. Module 2: Ammunition on Wrecks Ordnance expert Tom Harrison (MSDS Marine) shares what explosive devices may be found, how they appear after decades underwater, and why they must never be disturbed. Module 3: Pollution on Wrecks MoD Wreck Environmental Scientist Polly Hill explains the environmental risks posed by decaying vessels and how divers can help detect and mitigate pollution. Module 4: Case Studies Real-world wreck investigations, including: Toxic Legacy (Asia Pacific) – Matt Carter and Freya Goodsir, RFA Darkdale – Matt Skelhorn, USS Prinz Eugen – Polly Hill, HMS Royal Oak – Matt Skelhorn, Live Online Sessions  18 and 20 November 2025, 7–9pm GMT Deepen your learning with expert-led sessions including: How to read ship plans and locate ammunition,  Underwater ordnance recognition,  Historic and environmental desk-based assessments,  Wreck integrity surveys and how to contribute,  Interactive ID quizzes and opportunities to get involved in upcoming projects,  Perfect for divers, archaeologists, and anyone working with or researching military wrecks. Run in partnership with SALMO, MoD.  

Discover how science helps unlock the stories of the sea—learn the principles behind conserving and analysing marine archaeological finds. This online course offers a theoretical introduction to archaeological science and conservation, focusing on artefacts and ecofacts recovered from wreck sites. It’s perfect for anyone interested in how scientific methods are used to preserve and interpret maritime heritage. Through 3 hours of pre-recorded videos and a live online discussion panel (1–4pm BST, Wednesday 22 October 2025), you’ll explore key conservation techniques and materials science fundamentals, along with real case studies. Pre-recorded modules are: First Aid for Maritime Finds, Sampling and Plant Remains from Wreck Sites, Zooarchaeology of Wreck Sites, Introduction to Materials Science in Heritage Studies, Introduction to Archaeological Conservation and Marine Materials, Case Studies, Live Online Discussion Panel with expert conservators. This course also complements the practical in-person course on Archaeological Science and Conservation of Marine Finds held at Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth (7 November 2025). Course fee: £40 | 5 NAS creditsSuitable for divers, archaeologists, students, and anyone curious about what happens after artefacts are recovered from the sea.      

Bring the past to life on paper—learn the fundamentals of archaeological illustration from home with expert-led guidance and hands-on practice. This live online course introduces the theory, techniques, and conventions of archaeological illustration, focusing on pottery and small finds. Perfect for beginners, the course combines expert presentations, structured exercises, and personalised feedback—all using simple household objects as stand-ins for real artefacts. Saturday 8 November 2025 | 9am–5pm GMT.£40 course fee | 5 NAS credits. Topics covered are: Why Archaeological Illustration Still Matters, Theory: Pottery Illustration Techniques & Conventions, Practical: Pottery Drawing Exercise, Theory: Small Finds Illustration, Practical: Small Finds Drawing, and Putting It into Perspective. All sessions are live and interactive, with breaks throughout the day. Ideal for students, volunteers, or professionals looking to build skills in archaeological recording and communication.  

Transform your drawings into digital records—learn how to illustrate archaeological finds using free, professional-grade software. This self-paced online course introduces you to digital illustration techniques using Inkscape, a free and open-source vector graphics program. You'll learn to produce accurate, publication-ready illustrations of pottery and small finds, enhancing both research and the archaeological record. Designed for those with a foundation in archaeological illustration, this course is open to participants who have completed the NAS Archaeological Illustration course (8 November 2025 or previous versions of the course) or can demonstrate equivalent experience. Course includes: Step-by-step modules covering core Inkscape tools and illustration workflows, Exercises for hands-on practice, Optional live online support sessions with the expert tutor in February 2026. £40 course fee | 5 NAS creditsLearn at your own pace, from anywhere, and gain essential skills for digital documentation in archaeology.

Get an introduction to the theory and technique of completing archaeological illustrations from the comfort of your own home. Using household items as substitutes for real artefacts, learn the basic skills necessary to produce archaeological illustrations of pottery and small finds. Then you'll be ready to illustrate real artefacts when the opportunity arises.On this online course, participants will gain an understanding of the difference between a drawing and archaeological illustration. Using household items as substitutes, participants will learn how to set up an artefact for an archaeological drawing and then how to draw it. Online lectures will be combined with set illustration tasks to provide an interactive and practical online experience. Under expert online guidance, participants will produce an illustration of an item of pottery and a small find made of wood, metal or leather.By completing this course using household items, participants will get an introduction to the illustration skills that can then be applied to real archaeological artefacts when it is possible to access them.

Learn how to contribute to the MoD's potentially polluting wrecks programme by completing this pre-requisite course for NAS MoD diving projects. Learn to safely dive on military wrecks, identify environmental and explosive hazards on wrecks and write useful desk-based assessments on potentially polluting wrecks.This course consists of four hours of videos to watch at your own pace, followed by two live online sessions.

Learn how to safely dive on military wrecks and help to identify environmental and explosive hazards on wrecks. This course is a pre-requisite for NAS MOD diving projects. The next course is 7-9pm BST 5 and 8 June 2023. Book on our events page or contact nas@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org