shipwrecks & culture

8/7/2019 Shipwrecks & Culture

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SHIPWRECKS & CULTURESHIPWRECKS & CULTUREBy

Will Pierce


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Studying Shipwrecks

Can Help Us LearnAbout Other Cultures

Thesis Statement:


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THE PURPOSETHE PURPOSE

Throughout history, each ship that made aThroughout history, each ship that made asuccessful trip left few clues about its voyage.successful trip left few clues about its voyage.It went out, conducted its business, and returned.It went out, conducted its business, and returned.It was only when disaster struck and a ship wentIt was only when disaster struck and a ship wentdown that the details were deposited beneath thedown that the details were deposited beneath thewaves.waves.

Underwater archaeologists piece together theUnderwater archaeologists piece together theremains of shipwrecks and existing records to tellremains of shipwrecks and existing records to tellthese stories today.these stories today.


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The MissionThe Mission

Underwater archaeologists revealUnderwater archaeologists revealthe secrets by:the secrets by:LOCATINGLOCATING ,,

EXAMININGEXAMINING , and, andEXPLAININGEXPLAININGShipwrecks and other underwater remains.Shipwrecks and other underwater remains.


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Scientific MethodScientific MethodWhen archaeologists study a shipwreck they useWhen archaeologists study a shipwreck they usethethe SCIENTIFIC METHODSCIENTIFIC METHOD ..

They develop aThey develop a HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS and specificand specificquestions they want to answer.questions they want to answer.

They make aThey make a PLANPLAN for testing the hypothesis andfor testing the hypothesis andgathering evidence to answer the questions.gathering evidence to answer the questions.

When the project is over, they write aWhen the project is over, they write a REPORTREPORTabout their findings and present their about their findings and present their CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS ..


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CultureCulture

The institutions, tools, customs,The institutions, tools, customs,rituals and beliefs of a group of rituals and beliefs of a group of

people.people.


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ARCHAEOLOGYARCHAEOLOGY

The study of past peoples andThe study of past peoples andsocieties through their materialsocieties through their material

remains.remains.


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ARCHEOLOGYARCHEOLOGY

The scope and potential of The scope and potential of archaeology must hinge chiefly onarchaeology must hinge chiefly on

how far the remains present at ahow far the remains present at a

specific site have survived.specific site have survived.


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ARCHAEOLOGICALARCHAEOLOGICALEVIDENCEEVIDENCE

Patterning of objects andPatterning of objects andassemblages that givesassemblages that gives

archaeologist many of their insights.archaeologist many of their insights.


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Underwater Archaeological SitesUnderwater Archaeological Sites

When we look at human disturbanceWhen we look at human disturbancethe full advantages of underwater the full advantages of underwater

sites become obvious.sites become obvious.


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Underwater Archaeological SitesUnderwater Archaeological Sites

They have the ability to preserve inThey have the ability to preserve ingood condition organic materials likegood condition organic materials like

wood and leather.wood and leather.


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The Underw0.The Underw0.


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ater Advantageater Advantage

On land, sites can be plowed over, built on , or looted.On land, sites can be plowed over, built on , or looted.

Underwater, humans have not been able to tamper with theUnderwater, humans have not been able to tamper with the

seabed until recently.seabed until recently.

Most archaeological sites underwater are undisturbed byMost archaeological sites underwater are undisturbed byhuman activity.human activity.

However, due to technological innovation, there are newHowever, due to technological innovation, there are new

threats to underwater sitesthreats to underwater sites ..


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Underwater ArchaeologyUnderwater ArchaeologyMaritime archeologists are scientist who examineMaritime archeologists are scientist who examineships, people, and societies involved in seafaring.ships, people, and societies involved in seafaring.

Nautical archaeologist are Scientist who studyNautical archaeologist are Scientist who studyhow and why vessels were built, what kind of how and why vessels were built, what kind of equipment and skills were needed to operate them,equipment and skills were needed to operate them,and what routs were traveled.and what routs were traveled.

Prehistoric Underwater Archeologist, ScientistPrehistoric Underwater Archeologist, Scientistwho study human activity that occurred aroundwho study human activity that occurred aroundwater before written records.water before written records.


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K eith MuckelroyK eith Muckelroy

Ships contain material unique to thatShips contain material unique to thatparticular situation and providingparticular situation and providingknowledge obtainable in no other knowledge obtainable in no other

way about people and lifeway about people and life- -styles longstyles longvanished from sight.vanished from sight.


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Ships have always been especiallyShips have always been especiallyimportant, being the largest and mostimportant, being the largest and most

complex objects produced in most societiescomplex objects produced in most societiesbefore the industrial revolution.before the industrial revolution.

ARCHEOLOGY UNDER WATER ARCHEOLOGY UNDER WATER


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Every sunken wreck, everyEvery sunken wreck, everysubmerged harbor, every drownedsubmerged harbor, every drowneddwelling place is a time capsule.dwelling place is a time capsule.

ARCHEOLOGY UNDER W ATER ARCHEOLOGY UNDER W ATER


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Shipwrecks are like TimeShipwrecks are like Time

CapsulesCapsulesThey contain what a culture made, ate,They contain what a culture made, ate,wore, traded, worked with, believed in, andwore, traded, worked with, believed in, and

discarded.discarded.They reveal details about the uniqueThey reveal details about the uniquefloating community that existed on a ship.floating community that existed on a ship.They provide evidence about the seafaringThey provide evidence about the seafaringtechnology of past eras.technology of past eras.


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InterpretationInterpretation

The excavator is interested in two things:The excavator is interested in two things:Content and context.Content and context.

This means what you can find of theThis means what you can find of theoriginal vessel, and what relationships youoriginal vessel, and what relationships youcan discover between the various pieces.can discover between the various pieces.You must interpret this information basedYou must interpret this information basedon what you know about how the wreck on what you know about how the wreck occurred.occurred.


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ContentContent

First: First: Evidence concerning the originalEvidence concerning the originalvessel and her equipment.vessel and her equipment.

SecondSecond : Material reflecting the vessels: Material reflecting the vesselsoriginal purpose.original purpose.

Th ir dTh ir d : A wrecks contents reflect: A wrecks contents reflectsomething about the society on board.something about the society on board.


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SignificanceSignificance

The four elements about a shipwreck that areThe four elements about a shipwreck that arenecessary to be determined prior to deciding itsnecessary to be determined prior to deciding itsimportance are:importance are:DATEDATEFUNCTIONFUNCTIONSIZESIZE

NATIONALITYNATIONALITY*A fifth element that is important is the name of a*A fifth element that is important is the name of aship.ship.


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Oldest Shipwreck Oldest Shipwreck

Date:Date: 2650 B.C.2650 B.C.Nationality:Nationality: EgyptianEgyptian

Function:Function: A funeral barge for the EgyptianA funeral barge for the Egyptianpharaoh.pharaoh.Size:Size: 140 feet140 feet

Name:Name: The Royal Ship of Cheops.The Royal Ship of Cheops.


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History (continued)History (continued)

Jacques Cousteau and Emil GagnonJacques Cousteau and Emil Gagnoninvented SCUBA in the 1940s.invented SCUBA in the 1940s.

The term is and acronym for Self The term is and acronym for Self- -ContainedContainedUnderwater Breathing Apparatus.Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Another term for SCUBA is the Aqualung.Another term for SCUBA is the Aqualung.


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HistoryHistory

Professional divers, using specialized and complexProfessional divers, using specialized and complexequipment have been working under water for equipment have been working under water for over a hundred years.over a hundred years.

But it was the wartime invention of the aqualungBut it was the wartime invention of the aqualungthat gave other people the chance to work freelythat gave other people the chance to work freelyunderwater.underwater.The first archaeological excavation was attemptedThe first archaeological excavation was attempted

by the Undersea Research Group of the Frenchby the Undersea Research Group of the FrenchNavy.Navy.They were directed by the commandant , JacquesThey were directed by the commandant , Jacques- -Yves Cousteau.Yves Cousteau.


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The PioneersThe PioneersBassBass was an archaeology graduate student whowas an archaeology graduate student wholearned to dive in order to direct the research.learned to dive in order to direct the research.Peter ThrockmortonPeter Throckmorton , was an amateur , was an amateur archaeologist who had learned about the site fromarchaeologist who had learned about the site froma sponge diver.a sponge diver.Both menBoth men believed that excavation techniquesbelieved that excavation techniquesused on land could be applied underwater.used on land could be applied underwater.

They went to Cape Gelidonya to test this idea.They went to Cape Gelidonya to test this idea.


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The Earliest Underwater The Earliest Underwater

ArchaeologyArchaeologyThe discipline of underwater archaeologyThe discipline of underwater archaeologybegan in 1960.began in 1960.The first underwater archaeologist wasThe first underwater archaeologist wasGeorge Bass.George Bass.He led a threeHe led a three- -month shipwreck project inmonth shipwreck project inTurkey at Cape Gelidonya.Turkey at Cape Gelidonya.

It was the first time that trainedIt was the first time that trainedarchaeologist totally excavated a wreck onarchaeologist totally excavated a wreck onthe seabed.the seabed.


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Parts of a ShipParts of a ShipFram esFram es: Wooden structures that branch outward: Wooden structures that branch outwardand upward from a ships keel.and upward from a ships keel.

HullHull : The body of a ship.: The body of a ship.

KeelKeel : The backbone of a ship.: The backbone of a ship.

B a llastB a llast : Heavy material such as rocks or pieces of : Heavy material such as rocks or pieces of iron placed in the lower part of a ship for stability.iron placed in the lower part of a ship for stability.

R iggi ngR iggi ng: The ropes, chains,and other gear used to: The ropes, chains,and other gear used tosupport, positions and control masts and sails on asupport, positions and control masts and sails on aship.ship.


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Other VocabularyOther VocabularyM ag ne tometer:M ag ne tometer: A remoteA remote--sensing tool thatsensing tool thatmeasures changes in the earths magneticmeasures changes in the earths magneticfield.field.

Fat ho m eter:Fat ho m eter: A sonar instrument thatA sonar instrument thatdetermines water depth by measuring sounddetermines water depth by measuring soundimpulses.impulses.

Salvag e:Sa lvag e: To save from wreckage.To save from wreckage.Scu tt le:Scu tt le: To sink a ship by cutting holesTo sink a ship by cutting holesthrough the bottom or the sides.through the bottom or the sides.


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Other VocabularyOther Vocabulary

Enc r u stati on :Enc r u stati on : A coat of co rr osion and sed im en ts A coat of co rr osion and sed im en ts th at forms on m eta l objec ts in sea wat er.th at forms on m eta l objec ts in sea wat er.

Con ser vati on :Con ser vati on : The docu m en tati on, ana lysis ,The docu m en tati on, ana lysis ,

clean ing and tr eatm en t of an arti f act to en su r e its clean ing and tr eatm en t of an arti f act to en su r e its su r viva l.su r viva l.

Sed im en ts:Sed im en ts: Sand o r st one s depo sit ed by w at er ,Sand o r st one s depo sit ed by w at er ,wind o r glaciers.wind o r glaciers.Arti f acts:Arti f acts: Objec ts ma de o r m od if ied by hu ma ns.Objec ts ma de o r m od if ied by hu ma ns.

Exc avat e:Exc avat e: To scien ti f ica lly r ecove r and st udy theTo scien ti f ica lly r ecove r and st udy ther emai ns of p ast hu ma n activity.r emai ns of p ast hu ma n activity.


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Peter ThrockmortonPeter Throckmorton

Archaeology has also proved and helpful inArchaeology has also proved and helpful indiscovering how the ships themselves camediscovering how the ships themselves cameto be constructed.to be constructed.


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Peter ThrockmortonPeter Throckmorton

Diving for TreasureDiving for Treasureas with land excavation, marineas with land excavation, marine

archaeology can answer dozens,archaeology can answer dozens,

hundreds of questions central to thehundreds of questions central to theunderstanding of the history of man.understanding of the history of man.

shipwrecks & culture

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