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BLACKBEARD - Recovering "Queen Anne's Revenge"

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Author Topic: BLACKBEARD - Recovering "Queen Anne's Revenge"  (Read 10798 times)
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Bianca
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« Reply #30 on: December 08, 2008, 04:38:06 pm »









                                                           APPENDIX A


                                                Archaeological Recovery Plan






A variety of underwater archaeological equipment and techniques are acceptable for use on Queen Anne's Revenge; their selection will be mainly dictated by available resources and funding. Archaeological recovery plans are directly tied to the availability of a conservation facility where recovered artifacts will be stabilized, analyzed, conserved, and stored. Without a major conservation laboratory, archaeological activities can be only exploratory in nature, as outlined in the Maintenance and Exploration option. If site managers are faced with the loss of portions of the site through natural or man-caused threats, difficult decisions will have to be made to determine what course of action is in the best interest of the threatened remains. Not having an adequate conservation facility available will complicate this matter. During exploratory testing and emergency recovery, smaller vessels may be able to handle the majority of the work, leaving the heavy lifting to larger vessels as needed. A core staff of three archaeologists/conservators should be retained indefinitely to monitor the site, react to emergencies, and continue conservation and analysis of recovered materials.

The most desired approach to maximize information recovered from the site is the Excavation option, which calls for the full and systematic recovery of Queen Anne's Revenge while adhering to professional archaeological standards. A large vessel is needed to act as a stable dive- and equipment-platform for excavation and recovery, preferably one that offers crew accommodations and a galley, thereby allowing work to continue nonstop during periods of calm weather. Compressors, pumps, artifact sluices, and hoisting capabilities are needed. Several small vessels should be available to support these operations.
Regardless of the speed in which investigations are conducted on Queen Anne's Revenge, the following progression is likely:

1. Determination of artifact dispersion. This process would consist of detailed remote sensing surveys and shallow test excavations with limited artifact recovery to allow investigators to explore the extent and type of buried cultural remains associated with Queen Anne's Revenge. It would represent a continuation of the 1998 investigations, during which the limits of the site were determined for the north and east sides of the exposed wreckage. Exploratory testing is still needed to the south and west. A remote sensing survey using a differential magnetometer shows the most promise for revealing large buried objects such as cannons or other buried remains without using intrusive methods such as probing or excavation.

2. Development and installation of a unit control system. Successful archaeological investigations on Queen Anne's Revenge will depend on a sturdy, well-established reference and grid system that is both easy to set up and maintain, and capable of withstanding the effects of storms. While working on the sandy bottom, an ability to control unit walls during excavation and in periods of foul weather will be essential to ensure accurate data retrieval.

3. Excavation and recovery of buried remains. Based on results of the 1997 and 1998 field investigations, equipment and methods will be devised to recover the maximum amount of information from excavation units. The progression of unit excavation will be based on the archaeological research plan, which may call for a sampling strategy over the entire site or unit-by-unit excavations from one end of the site to the other.


The recovery of smaller artifacts and eco-facts (natural objects associated with the archaeological record), is problematic. It is impossible to recovery every bit of information contained on Queen Anne's Revenge. Archaeologists can minimize the loss of information through various means, however. Most importantly, a plan must be developed to identify research questions that can be asked of the site and then collection strategies that will provide evidence to test and answer those questions must be formulated. The highest-quality and most appropriate tools should be employed to maximize data recovery. Such recovery can be greatly facilitated by involving researchers in associated fields such as marine geology and biology. An interdisciplinary approach can strengthen the collection and interpretation of the whole realm of archaeological materials. Sampling strategies can greatly expedite the recovery of viable information by reducing the amount of materials that require processing. Lastly, the collection and storage of representative materials such as sediment samples and unpreserved artifacts can ensure that future researchers will have original evidence to study. That evidence will be increasingly important in the future as technologically advanced tools become available for laboratory analyses.

4. Disassembly and recovery of the exposed wreckage. Presumably this will be the final activity conducted at the site. Specialized tools and heavy lifting equipment will be needed to properly disassemble and recover the large mass of concreted wreckage, including two anchors, a grappling hook, numerous cannons, and a variety of other cultural debris. Such operations will require considerable planning to ensure that each object is freed from surrounding artifacts without damage, lifted off the bottom, brought safely aboard the recovery vessel, and then transported to the conservation laboratory. Some large artifacts, such as the anchors with wooden stocks and sections of wooden hull, may require disassembly on the bottom or a support system designed to avoid damage during recovery.

Prior to field investigations, a detailed archaeological research plan must be developed and approved by the Advisory Committee on Archaeological Operations. A committee-approved archaeologist should be selected as project director and placed in charge of all field activities, while an approved project conservator should oversee associated laboratory operations. During archaeological investigations, the project archaeologist, in consultation with the lead conservator, dive safety officer, vessel operators and/or equipment managers will have the authority to halt operations if, in his/her opinion, continuation of the project will compromise archaeological integrity of Queen Anne's Revenge or the safety of personnel and equipment. Additional staff should include a team of three archaeologists, three technicians, and an office administrator for logistics and conservation laboratory management.
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