Shipwrecks and the sunken treasure they are suspected of containing are an endless source of fascination. It is easy to understand why, from very early on, people sought ownership of ships run aground, sometimes fighting over them. Most shipwrecks, however, lie at the bottom of the ocean, and over the centuries, desire and necessity have driven people to devise various techniques to reach them – from urinatores and Da Vinci's inventions to diving bells and the diving dress. However, every wreck has an owner, whether legitimate or self-proclaimed, and the law has always been there to remind would-be explorers of this fact. The way we think about wrecks has also evolved. The passage of time has brought about historical interest in these ancient wrecks, and given rise to the profession of underwater archaeologist.
