Archaeometric and Archaeometallurgical Studies on Historical Shipwrecks: Research Experiences in Argentina

Abstract

Archaeometry could be defined as the interdisciplinary field where knowledge and analytical methods and techniques from natural and applied sciences have enhanced research carried out in archaeology. Many studies have been focused on answering questions related to dating, exploration, artefact function and use, materials sources, and manufacturing methods. In the last decades, materials considered, research topics, and scale of analysis have broadened, allowing to reach a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of social knowledge, behaviours, technologies and other aspects from ancient periods to recent times. Investigations within the field of maritime archaeology show an increasing interest in the application of archaeometric tools to a plethora of sites, including shipwrecks, harbours, dockyards, military batteries, and coastal cities. So far, noteworthy progress has been accomplished in the identification of materials and manufacturing methods, dating, provenance, in situ and laboratory conservation, exploration and survey. In Argentina, the application of archaeometric means of analysis has also gained an important place, especially since the new century. Interdisciplinary studies of wooden and metal artefacts—among other organic and inorganic remains—recovered from 17th to 20th century shipwrecks have not been left out of this trend. Based on a quantitative perspective, studies on metal artefacts show a special place in the country as well as in Latin America. This paper presents a review of the outcomes achieved on archaeometric research on shipwreck remains since the early 2000s, with an emphasis on archaeometallurgical studies, and explores ideas on how future research could be conducted in order to exploit the potential of these studies.