Robert F. Marx (December 8, 1936 – July 4, 2019)[1] was an American pioneer inscuba diving, a prolific author, and was best known for his work as an avocationalmarine archaeologist. Over his career, he discovered over 5000 shipwrecks in over 60 countries[citation needed]. Although some accused him oftreasure hunting, fellow avocational archeologistE. Lee Spence described Marx as the "true father of underwater archaeology".[2] Marx also helped writeUNESCO legislation regarding shipwrecks.
Marx wrote extensively about the concept ofWhite gods. Marx came to the conclusion that White Gods "figure in almost every indigenous culture in the Americas".
He went on to make over 5,000 dives[4] and authored over 800 reports and articles and 59 books on history, archaeology, shipwrecks and exploration.[5] He was a founding member of the Council on Underwater Archaeology and of theSea Research Society and served on the Society's Board of Advisors. Marx claimed to have discovered theUSS Monitor. He said he had dived on the wreck and placed a Coke bottle with his name on it in one of the gun barrels, although he never provided any proof of his story.[6] In 1972 he participated in the creation of the research/professional degree of Doctor of Marine Histories.[7] In 1972, Marx discovered and salvaged the Spanish galleonNuestra Señora de las Maravillas, which wrecked off the coast ofGrand Bahama in 1656. His expedition later became the subject of the network television documentaryTreasure Galleon narrated byRod Serling.[8]
Also when Marx went toBrazil in 1982 when he attempted to prove thatRomanamphorae had been brought there by ship.[9] In 1985 Marx claimed that the Brazilian government covered up the amphorae, an allegation the government denied. A businessman named Americo Santarelli said that he had 16 amphora replicas made which he dropped in the bay to age them but had only recovered four. A year before this dispute the government charged Marx ofcontraband backing this claim with a catalogue of a 1983 Amsterdam auction where gold coins and other artefacts were offered for sale by Marx and his associates that had not been declared by Marx despite an agreement to do so. Several attempts to let Marx respond to this allegation were rebuffed, including Marx answering the phone saying "Don't call me".[10]
Marx recreated Columbus's voyage on a replica of the Niña.
In 1962, Marx organized and led a re-enactment ofChristopher Columbus' voyage from theCanary Islands toSan Salvador Island in an exact replica of his shipLa Niña, donned theNiña II. After 3 months, they arrived in theBahamas on Christmas Eve. According to Marx, "It’s likely the closest modern sailors had come to experiencing the conditions, the determination, and the incredible amount of luck that was needed to cross an ocean 500 years ago."[11] As a result of his endeavor, Marx was made a Knight-commander in theOrder of Isabella the Catholic by theSpanish government. In 1964 and 1969 he was the organizer and captain of two voyages of replica Viking ships from Europe to the Americas. He sought to demonstrate the possibility of pre-Columbian transatlantic contact.
Following his trip, Marx appeared as himself on the January 14, 1963 episode of the game showTo Tell the Truth. He received three of four possible votes.[12]
Marx authored 59 books and over 900 articles. He was also the Adventure Editor of theSaturday Evening Post, Archaeology Editor ofArgosy magazine, as well as a consultant for television and film. He appeared in the documentary television seriesHistory's Mysteries.[13] He also produced 55 television documentary films and has worked or appeared in more than a hundred more.[14] Marx also helped write UNESCO legislation regarding shipwrecks, as he had interacted with local governments throughout his career in order to gain access to wrecks. Marx was also a member of theExplorer's Club.[15]
Marx wrote extensively about the concept ofWhite gods. Marx came to the conclusion that White Gods "figure in almost every indigenous culture in the Americas."[16][17] A review byJonathan Kirsch in the Los Angeles Times concluded that "Quest" was a good yarn, but Marx tried hard to dress it up as something slightly scandalous. In that sense, "Quest" was the archeological equivalent ofOliver Stone'sJFK—Marx seeks to prove the existence of "great white gods" by offering us a haphazard collection of oddities, rumors and coincidences, but what's on display here is really nothing more than the passions and obsessions of a born showman."[18]
Marx argued that the Vikings created the Mayan civilisation, arguing that "Their kingdom was founded by a great eastern ruler named Votan. Votan was a white man who with his crew of tall, fair-haired, blue eyed men in dragon-prowed "serpent ships" brought the Mayan people across the sea and settled them in their new land." The problem is that thePopul Vuh has no mention of a Votan. This claim originates in the mistaken translations byDiego de Landa who thought that Mayan glyphs were letters corresponding to the Roman alphabet.[19]
Marx met his wife, Jenifer, during the excavation ofPort Royal inJamaica in the 1960s. In later life, they lived inIndialantic,Florida with their three daughters. Together, they co-authored over 30non-fiction books.
Always Another Adventure, by Robert F Marx (Cleveland, World Pub. Co., 1967)OCLC 1355136
Shipwrecks of the Virgin Islands, 1523-1825 by Robert F Marx; Edward L Towle and the Caribbean Research Institute (St. Thomas, V.I., Caribbean Research Institute, 1969)OCLC: 209714
The World's Richest Shipwrecks by Robert F Marx and Jenifer Marx (Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2005)ISBN1-55263-656-9,OCLC 60369569
Treasures from the Sea: Exploring the world's great shipwrecks by Robert F Marx and Jenifer Marx (Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2003)ISBN1-55263-207-5, [ OCLC 52039638]
The treasure fleets of the Spanish Main by Robert F Marx (Cleveland, World Pub. Co., 1968)OCLC 448399
The Battle of Lepanto, 1571 by Robert F Marx (Cleveland, World Pub. Co., 1966)OCLC 1349558
They Dared the Deep; a history of diving by Robert F Marx (Cleveland, World Pub. Co., 1967)OCLC 1354152
Clay smoking pipes recovered from the sunken city of Port Royal October 1, 1967 – March 31, 1968 by Robert F Marx; Jamaica National Trust Commission (Kingston, Jamaica National Trust Commission, 1968)OCLC 121031
