Maritime archaeology

Maritime archaeology is a subset of archaeology. Archaeology refers to the practice of studying the remains of ancient peoples and cultures; maritime describes the study of peoples and cultures in relation to their interactions with lakes, river systems, and oceans. Maritime archaeologists study the remains of ports, ships, cargoes, shipwreck survivor camps, and other maritime sites and objects, whether they are underwater or on dry land.

Because many of the sites studied by maritime archaeologists are underwater, maritime archaeologists often require a different skill set than conventional archaeologists. They may be required to chart the gradual drift of objects on the seafloor. They may need to scuba dive to underwater archaeological sites or shipwrecks. If scuba diving proves impractical, maritime archaeologists may utilize a submersible or a drone to reach the site.

If possible, maritime archaeologists may bring artifacts found in wet sites to the surface. Once on the surface, the finds can be analyzed and studied in a lab, giving scientists a greater insight into their age, history, and physical composition. Large objects sometimes require specialized equipment to move from the sea floor. Some finds, such as the Titanic, are impractical to move and must be studied from the location at which they were found.

Background

Archaeology was first practiced in the fifteenth century in Europe. Many philosophers held artistic objects in high value, and considered historic artifacts works of art. This new market led to excavations in numerous areas, where workers dug up ancient artifacts for sale. Because the artifacts sold for large sums of money, early archaeologists could travel to faraway portions of the world.

In the late eighteenth century, French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) helped found a think tank of 175 scholars called the Scientific Artistic Commission (SAC). These scholars studied Egyptian culture, cataloging Ancient Egyptian relics. When they published the results of their studies, the public became excited for more stories of Ancient Egypt. As time went on, people began to fund more expensive expeditions to other parts of the world. Archaeology became an accepted and respected profession.

Modern archaeologists use many methods to study the culture and history of past societies. They most commonly learn about these peoples by studying what the cultures have left behind. They find, catalog, and study ancient tools, pottery, ruins, weapons, jewelry, and remains. Archaeologists do their best to preserve these materials while still ensuring that they can utilize the finds to learn about the ancient cultures that left them.

First, archaeologists commonly use field tactics to find the remains. This involves physically searching a location for settlement patterns, remains, or other signs of an ancient settlement. They may find clues in accounts of events, such as articles in newspapers or entries in diaries. Once such a place is found, archaeologists carefully excavate the site. This involves obtaining any remains or artifacts that have survived the ages while damaging them as little as possible. Excavating a site is a slow process, as modern archaeologists prefer to act in a careful and precise manner. Once the materials and artifacts have been secured, they are carefully classified and sorted into groups called typologies. Finally, once the objects have been cataloged, many are sent to laboratories for in-depth analysis. Laboratory testing might involve chemical tests or radiocarbon dating to give archaeologists a more precise idea about an object’s age and chemical composition.

Overview

Maritime archaeology seeks to study peoples and cultures that existed many years ago in both wet and dry sites. It relies on finding, excavating, sorting, and analyzing sites. It utilizes physics, the study of ancient plants, the study of ancient animals, cultural anthropology, and historical writings to accomplish these steps. However, the process of accomplishing each of these steps may be significantly different from the processes used in other subsets of archaeology. Finding the site of ancient, well-preserved artifacts at the bottom of the ocean is extremely difficult and presents many challenges. For this reason, maritime archaeology commonly utilizes the study of ancient literature to begin searching for the locations of shipwrecks, ancient ports, and other maritime sites. If maritime archaeologists can pinpoint the place where an ancient ship sank, they may be able to discover the modern location of the shipwreck. An account of shipwreck survivors being rescued may help archaeologists identify the island where they were found.

Excavation of an underwater site requires specialized training and equipment. If the site is located near the surface, archaeologists may utilize scuba gear to dive to the site. Scuba gear allows archaeologists to spend about an hour at a time underwater as they analyze the site. If the location is deeper or more difficult to reach, maritime archaeologists might utilize manned or unmanned submersibles. These devices are designed to travel underwater, helping archaeologists get a more detailed view of the artifacts at the bottom of the ocean. Maritime archaeologists may arrange for items from a site to be lifted out of the water if relocation can be accomplished without causing significant damage to the artifacts in question. In some cases, entire shipwrecks have been transported to land. In other cases, only small objects may be taken from the bottom of the ocean. For example, artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic—the famed British passenger liner that sank in 1912 on her maiden voyage, killing about 1,500 passengers and crew—include china, jewelry, and even portholes. Once on land, the objects can undergo traditional typology and laboratory analysis.

In some cases, utilizing scuba gear and submersibles can be dangerous. For this reason, maritime archaeologists need specialized training. This training is in addition to the standard requirements for becoming an archaeologist. In 2023, a private submersible, the Titan, on its way to the Titanic, received media attention when it experienced a catastrophic failure. Although the Titan was operated by a private company and was not on a maritime archeological mission, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French explorer and Titanic expert, was on board.

Some underwater sites can preserve objects better than similar sites on land. For example, wood decays more slowly in oxygen-poor water, such as the depths of the Black Sea, than in shallow water or at dry sites. Ships or other items that fall to an ocean or lake floor and are quickly covered by sediment are also preserved from decaying. Such wet sites give maritime archaeologists a unique insight into human history.

Maritime archeological discoveries continue to be made in the twenty-first century. A 2024 expedition of the Antikythera shipwreck in the Aegean Sea yielded hundreds of artifacts and allowed archeologists to better understand ancient shipbuilding techniques. Maritime archeological studies in the area also yielded neolithic boats near Italy and shipwrecks among the Greek Islands.

Bibliography

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Sanchez, Ray, and Graham Hurley. “A Haunting Final Message and other Takeaways from the Coast Guard Inquiry into the Titan Submersible Implosion.” CNN, 22 Sept. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/09/22/us/titan-submersible-hearing-takeaways/index.html. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

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