Australia has a significant maritime archaeological heritage, from the Dutch explorers in the early 17th century through to the settlement of Australia, with shipwrecks such as the Batavia, Bounty, Pandora and Sirius etc.
Shipwrecks are time capsules, but consist of materials which, if raised and untreated, will rapidly deteriorate. Dr MacLeod has pioneered the conservation of such shipwrecks and is now considered a world leader, being invited to consult on major shipwrecks such as the Arizona and Titanic. He has received numerous research grants to work in particular on underwater metal artefacts, and has been awarded a Senior Fulbright Fellowship.