Historical Shipwrecks, Archaeometry of

Abstract

Archaeometry can be broadly defined as the field where knowledge and analytical methods and techniques from natural and applied sciences enhance research carried out in archaeology and related disciplines. Close interaction between different specialists allows for systematic means of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to be applied and to shed light on archaeological questions. Until the 1990s, most studies were focused on answering inquiries related to dating, exploration, artifact function and use, material sources, and manufacture methods. From then on, research topics, scale of analysis, and materials considered have expanded. Likewise, some analytical means became more complex, while new ones were incorporated. Thus, it was possible to achieve a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of social knowledge, behaviors, technologies, environments, and interactions between them. Investigations within the field of maritime archaeology have not been left out of this trend. Advances made on exploration and survey, identification of materials and manufacturing methods, dating, provenance, site formation processes, and treatments for the stabilization of remains are notable. This essay explores areas that have lately shown a notable advance regarding the means used for recording shipwrecks, characterizing wooden and metal remains, and preserving in situ and conserving sites and finds.