Professional biography
Moussa WELE is a Senegalese underwater archaeologist specializing in African maritime cultural heritage, with a particular focus on maritime history and the management of underwater cultural heritage.
He supports several African States in the processes of ratification and implementation of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, providing technical and scientific expertise on issues related to the identification, documentation, and protection of submerged cultural assets.
He is also a member of the technical and scientific committee of the memorial dedicated to the shipwreck of Le Joola, a major maritime disaster that occurred off the coast of Senegal and is often referred to as the “African Titanic,” which resulted in the loss of more than 2,000 lives. Between 2021 and 2023, he was appointed by the Government of Senegal as the lead archaeologist responsible for the scientific documentation of the shipwreck.
His research focuses on the maritime history of West Africa, the emerging development of underwater archaeology on the African continent, and issues related to the governance and management of underwater cultural heritage. He is the author of scientific publications in these fields and has contributed to international exhibitions aimed at promoting and disseminating knowledge about underwater cultural heritage. He is also actively involved in several networks and organizations working toward the preservation of cultural heritage and the marine environment.