Robert F. Marx
Encyclopedia
Robert F. Marx is one of the pioneer American scuba divers
and is best known for his work with shipwrecks and sunken treasure
. Although he is considered controversial for his frequent and successful forays into treasure hunting
, fellow treasure hunter E. Lee Spence
describes Marx as the true father of underwater archaeology.
in 1953. He has since made over 5,000 dives and has authored over 800 reports\articles and 59 books on history, archaeology, shipwrecks and exploration.
Marx and his wife, Jenifer, live in Indialantic, Florida
. They are co-authors of several non-fiction
books.
He was a founding member of the Council on Underwater Archaeology and of the Sea Research Society
and served on the Society's Board of Advisors. In 1972 participated in the creation of the research/professional degree of Doctor of Marine Histories.
Marx has written extensively about the concept of White Gods
. Marx came to the conclusion that White Gods "figure in almost every indigenous culture in the Americas."
Marx was made a Knight-commander in the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Spanish
government for his re-enactment in the Nina II of Christopher Columbus
' first voyage of exploration.
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
and is best known for his work with shipwrecks and sunken treasure
Sunken treasure
Sunken treasure may refer to:*Goods , treasure and/or other artifacts lost in a shipwreck, some of which is sought after and/or found by marine salvors, divers, underwater archaeologists, and/or treasure hunters during marine salvage*Sunken Treasure , a Milton Bradley game*"Sunken Treasure," a...
. Although he is considered controversial for his frequent and successful forays into treasure hunting
Treasure hunting
Treasure hunting is the physical search for treasure which has been a notable human activity for millennia. -In modern times:In recent times, the early stages of the development of archaeology included a significant aspect of treasure hunt; Heinrich Schliemann's excavations at Troy, and later at...
, fellow treasure hunter E. Lee Spence
E. Lee Spence
Edward Lee Spence is a pioneer in underwater archaeology who studies shipwrecks and sunken treasure. He is also a published editor and author of non-fiction reference books; a magazine editor , and magazine publisher ; and a...
describes Marx as the true father of underwater archaeology.
Biography
Marx became a diving specialist in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in 1953. He has since made over 5,000 dives and has authored over 800 reports\articles and 59 books on history, archaeology, shipwrecks and exploration.
Marx and his wife, Jenifer, live in Indialantic, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. They are co-authors of several non-fiction
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
books.
He was a founding member of the Council on Underwater Archaeology and of the Sea Research Society
Sea Research Society
The Sea Research Society is a non-profit educational research organization founded in 1972. Its general purpose is to promote scientific and educational endeavors in any of the marine sciences or marine histories with the goal of obtaining knowledge for the ultimate benefit to mankind...
and served on the Society's Board of Advisors. In 1972 participated in the creation of the research/professional degree of Doctor of Marine Histories.
Marx has written extensively about the concept of White Gods
White Gods
White Gods is the belief that ancient cultures around the world were visited by Caucasian races in ancient times, and that they were known as "White Gods"...
. Marx came to the conclusion that White Gods "figure in almost every indigenous culture in the Americas."
Marx was made a Knight-commander in the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
government for his re-enactment in the Nina II of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
' first voyage of exploration.
External links
- Seven Seas Search and Salvage, LLC (as Consultant)
- Sea Research Society (non-profit, educational research foundation)
- Find Marx's books & maps in a library with WorldCat
- New York Times Article