Permits

The Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH) unit at the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is pleased to issue the abovementioned permit.

1. If the permit holder is not present on the site at all times, SAHRA must be provided with the names and qualifications of his authorised representative(s).
2. Adequate recording methods must be employed during all work under this permit. The positions of all datum points and excavations, and of all artefacts removed from the wreck must be marked on an accurate plan of the site, which must also include a title, date, north arrow, and scale.
3. Work must be limited to the exploration and recovery of material from the wreck of the São José.
4. This permit gives the holder the sole right to conduct archaeological excavations, use equipment on site, sample, and perform analyses related to the wreck of the São José for the duration of the permit period.
5. A detailed log book must be kept to record daily progress, the mapping and location of finds, and features of the wreck and sea and weather conditions.
6. All artefacts removed from the site must be tagged and numbered prior to removal, and the number and description of each artefact entered into an accession register with pre-numbered pages.  A copy of this accession register must be submitted to the heritage authority with the final report.
7. All artefacts and materials recovered must be recorded, preserved, and identified in collaboration with the Iziko Museums.  No artefacts may be disposed of without the permission of SAHRA.
8. All archaeological material collected and excavated, as well as field notes and records, will be curated by Iziko Museums.
9. An annual progress report on the results of the excavations and analyses must be submitted to the heritage authority issuing this permit on 5 November 2022, 5 November 2023, and a final report must be emailed to the case officer on or before 31 December 2024 or prior to being granted a subsequent permit if one is applied for, whichever occurs first.
10. Reprints of all published papers or copies of theses and/or reports resulting from this work must be lodged with SAHRA.
11. If a published report has not appeared within three (3) years of the lapsing of this permit, the report required in terms of the permit may be made available to researchers on request.
12. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to obtain permission from the landowner for each visit, and conditions of access imposed by the landowner must be observed.
13. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to fill in excavations and protect sites during and after excavation to the satisfaction of the SAHRA and the landowner.
14. SAHRA shall not be liable for any losses, damages or injuries to properties or persons, regardless of whether they are under the employ of the permit holder, volunteering their assistance with the works, or members of the public, as a result of any activities in connection with this permit.
15. SAHRA reserves the right to cancel this permit by notice to the permit holder.