The Center for Underwater Archaeology is the only state institute in Bulgaria legally authorized (under Council of Ministers Decree No. 128) to carry out activities related to:
1. Research, Documentation, and Preservation of Underwater Archaeological Heritage (covering the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, rivers, and lakes). This includes monitoring underwater, hydro-technical, and dredging activities; conducting underwater archaeological investigations; geophysical and geomorphological studies focused on changes to the coastline from antiquity to the present day; as well as chemical, botanical, zoological, and other analyses aimed at reconstructing paleoclimatic conditions along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and identifying climate change patterns.
2. Scientific, Scientific-Informational, Expert, and Consulting Activities, primarily related to the development of regulations and legislation governing underwater activities and the protection of cultural and historical heritage.
3. Organization and Hosting of National and International Scientific Events. The Center is the organizer of numerous scientific events, the most prominent of which is the international symposium Thracian Pontica, launched in 1979. The forum is organized solely with the resources and efforts of the Center and typically gathers participants from 10 to 15 countries. Among them are some of the world’s leading researchers in the field of underwater archaeology – George Bass, Honor Frost, Gerhard Kapitän, David French, Jan Bouzek, John Hind, Dimitrios Samsaris, and Roland Paskoff.
4. Exhibition, Outreach, and Publishing Activities Prepares and publishes academic works by Bulgarian and international authors in the fields of maritime history and archaeology; organizes temporary exhibitions showcasing Bulgaria’s underwater archaeological discoveries. One such exhibition, “Secrets from the Seabed” in the town of Kiten, features a collection of anchors from different periods, artifacts from underwater excavations of a submerged Early Bronze Age settlement, and a sunken ship from the 18th–19th century in the southern bay of Kiten. Some of these artifacts can also be viewed in the virtual museum on the CUA website.
5. Training and Qualification of Specialists Organizes and implements educational programs in maritime history, ethnology, and underwater archaeology through student summer schools, providing opportunities for the practical application of acquired knowledge and skills. Such schools have been conducted as part of joint projects with the non-governmental archaeological organization Balkan Heritage and the Bulgarian-Turkish Partnership IPA Cross-Border Programme.
6. Assistance in Defining Priorities of the National Cultural Policy in the field of underwater cultural heritage protection.
7. Participation in Drafting and Providing Opinions on Legislative Acts related to the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
