Unearthed Archaeology: Finding Lost Treasures

Numerous mysteries found in the sea can provide insight into historical cultures and people. Among these are shipwrecks, which provide information on everyday living and building methods. It takes years of training to become proficient in the highly specialised area of underwater archaeology. Archaeology methods provide the basis of this profession, from surveying a site to the delicate task of cleaning and conserving artefacts.

How Treasures Are Found Below the Sea Level

With the advent of scuba diving in the latter part of the 20th century, the relatively new field of underwater archaeology was born. It employs the same techniques for excavation and discovery as land-based archaeology, but it is tailored to the particular conditions found in bodies of water. Working underwater might be really difficult at times. A functional platform that has the capacity to transport items into and out of the sea, recompression and medical facilities, air delivery and emergency systems, and the ability to analyse and store archaeological discoveries are all necessary. Various entities, including governments, colleges, business companies, and volunteer divers, collaborate with archaeologists. According to international law, many of the things that have been found and retrieved are kept in their original locations. For example, the Odyssey business of Tampa conferred with the Portuguese authorities before excavating the wreckage of the fabled black swan ship, Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes y las Animas, which went down off the coast of that nation.

Why Sunken Treasures Are Different

Unspoiled underwater graveyards of buried history are the ultimate draw of underwater exploration for many divers, not brilliant tropical fish or vibrant coral gardens. These unspoiled settings, whether tucked away in isolated areas or lost in the mists of time, manage to hold onto their aura of mystery, enabling a closer encounter with the past. Underwater archaeological sites are rich in historical information about past populations, even with their age and remote location from civilisation. Artefacts from these locations can be intrusive, needing excavation and selective artefact recovery, or non-intrusive, requiring simply meticulous recording and preservation. Even if it could be challenging, protecting these treasures is essential for the advancement of marine history and archaeology. Thankfully, technology is making things simpler. Cutting-edge sensors like magnetometers, LiDAR, and sonar can be used to pinpoint potential places for submerged towns or ships. After that, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) can be used to search these. These technologies are combined in the work of the APTIM team.

Sunken Shipwrecks: What Are They?

Shipwrecks are like time capsules that depict the past as it was, in contrast to land-based sites that can be artificial and may have undergone modifications throughout time. Their study sheds light on a variety of facets of the human condition. A peek into human mobility and communication, as well as the development of navigation technologies, are some of those aspects. Since the 19th century, nautical archaeology has existed as a distinct field of study. Underwater archaeology necessitates a long list of tools and planning, just like terrestrial archaeology. These consist of using a working platform for medical, recompression, and air distribution, specialised remote sensing equipment, supply storage, and facilities for conservation and study. A large number of these responsibilities are handled by businesses known as cultural resource management (CRM) firms. In order to make sure that historical resources and historic preservation are taken into account before significant building takes place in water bodies, they frequently collaborate with government entities. Making sure that any historically significant artefacts that are found and retrieved are appropriately conserved for future generations is another aspect of this.

How Are Submerged Shipwrecks Found?

Archaeological scholars have been interested in exploring the underwater environments that human societies have created since the invention of scuba diving, whether it is through ships that are carrying artefacts or treasures. There are several dimensions to this relatively new field. Success hinges on the weather and the availability of knowledgeable divers who know how to handle sensitive things. Relationships with local populations who are familiar with the bodies of water where archaeological sites are located are also important. In 2015, on the Greek archipelago of Fourni, archaeologist George Koutsouflakis received a call from a local fishermen. The fisherman reported to Koutsouflakis that ancient clay vessels that had sunk and their cargo covered in coral were scattered across the rocky seafloor close to the islands. The goal of underwater archaeologists is to comprehend these artefacts and the stories they convey about the people who made them. To discover submerged archaeological sites, scientists investigate long-term geologic changes; historical records, such as ship logs and manifests, explorers' narratives, and old maps, are frequently used.