some article for you guys to read.....
Before any underwater archaeological works has been carried out a comprehensive research and studies need to be made. Historical documentations such as old texts, reports, journals, archive records and books are some of the information that needs to be researched.
Even tales or legends also can give us a clue and information about the journey and event of the ship. Fisherman also can help us about the site information because they spend most of their time at the sea. Some time the artifacts caught up onto their nets trawlers. Modern fishermen always kept their navigational information using the “Global Positioning Systems” and the traditional fisherman used their expertise in familiarizing themselves at sea.
After all the information has been gathered a survey will take place. Using the scientific equipment such as the side scan sonar and the magnetometer. The side scan sonar may send sonar beeps sideways about 200 meters out and then it wills transfers to the plotter to gives an image. Magnetometer is equipment for detecting iron.
After an image of a ship shown in a plotter, a pre-disturbance survey will be carried out. It is essential, therefore, to begin work by carrying out a programme of preliminary survey and assessment aimed at defining the nature and extent of the site before any disturbance takes place.
The pre-disturbance survey will give the archaeologist and the team to discuss about further excavation and method of works will be carried out. A thorough pre-disturbance survey, if necessary, a trial excavation should take place for enable the archaeologist and the team to assess the potential sites, to record, take sample to determine the ships woods or the cargoes for dating, the depth of the wreck and the underwater environment before the works proceed further.
Excavation is a surgical aspect of archaeology. Preparing a datum reference is much needed to know where to start the excavation. Excavation team consists of archaeologist, surveyor, divers, technician and a boat master who will participate the archaeological excavations.
The team must be properly equipped such as the scuba gear; airlift, water dredge and compressor will help the works runs smoothly. Safety precautions are the most important in underwater archaeological excavations. Recording systems such as appropriate grid will be applied for measured the sites and to record each artifacts been found.
Grid can be made from aluminum frame or place steel rod and attached with strings with measurement of 2 by 2 feet. However, the excavation also can be applied by using the hull with transversal bulkheads as refers for compartments or cargo holds. The compartments will be tag by floaters for reference (numbering) during the excavations.
Photography and video recording involve mapping the sites for its natural topography; the ships remains hull and give the excavation team a picture to plan their works. Video recording also can be safety surveillance, so that the technician on the boat can keep an eye of the divers safety.
The artifacts will brought up, gives their own temporary classifications and soak it in water for conservations. The artifacts brought up to the boat or a ship it will classified into sizes, numbers, weight and scientific procedures such as to know the chemical composition on the artifacts need to be known for further research.
The classified and registered artifacts will be process for dating analysis. Dating analysis is to determine the age of the shipwreck or the artifacts that have been found. Termoluminesen and Carbon 14 can determine the dating of the wood.
Ceramic artifacts can be determined by the compositions of soil. They also can be determined through comparative studies and arts histories. Further research called interoperation is to make a detail research on the artifacts.
Conservation is a process to prevent of loss, damage and destruction on artifacts. Conservators will clean, document and analyzing and stabilize the artifacts. The artifacts will go through some various treatments such as desalination, reinforcement and chemical cleaning.
Shipwreck that have been taken up and need to be reform, a delicate process of reconstruction and installation will be done. The laboratory conservations, where all the artifacts will be monitored closely and will be stored for further periods of time providing the correct storage environment and in-depth studies of the artifacts.
The last but not least, process in underwater archaeology is the documentations. It is important to document every archaeological finding so that the information is not lost and can be used for further studies and research by others. The document can be produce through publishing a reports, journals, books and article for discussing and giving some perceptions about the excavations.
Seminars are also can be given for sharing the knowledge through conference, lecture and experiments. Even educate the people about awareness in preserving our cultural heritage for the next generations to come. The documentations also can be given through present materials such as video, VCD, Cd-Rom and make a documentary about the project.
Exhibition about the findings of the artifacts can also bring closer the people about the archaeological itself. It can be display at the museums for educations and gives the public awareness of our cultural heritage.
by nautallica 8-)
