Artifact Distribution and its Interpretation of a Shipwreck
One of the most important aspects in the analysis of the archaeological record is artifact distribution. This analysis helps explain the significance of recovered artifacts and their associated relationships on a site, then attempts to determine their relevance in terms of the history and society of the time. This aspect of archaeology has over time, developed into a careful and time consuming study.
The need to thoroughly map a shipwreck site and obtain exact provenience data is a highly debated issue. Some insist that a shipwreck, by its very nature, is disturbed and offers nothing to warrant an in-depth study on artifact relationships or distribution. Quite the contrary, an artifact’s location, whether original, or as a result of the wrecking process, provides valuable data that is lost unless subjected to precise recordation techniques. Maintaining archaeological standards, even on extensively disturbed sites, can, through careful examination of the artifact distribution, yield important information pertaining to the site itself.
Growing up in Texas and knowing Texas’ coastal waters fairly well, I had never given diving off South Padre Island much consideration. I had been involved with many commercial dive projects along the coast so I knew what to expect close to shore. The water’s along the Texas coast are murky at best and the thought of paying to dive these same waters was not very appealing. More importantly, I would need to drive 5 ½ hours from Austin, where I live, and the cost of transportation, food and lodging as well as the cost of the dives themselves was roughly $100 less than it would cost to fly to Cancun, Cozumel or even drive to Florida. But, after much consideration, I finally decided to give it a try and see what South Padre had to offer.
Born amidst the struggle for the Latin Kingdom in the Middle East; and charged with a religious responsibility born in all Christians, the Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon were founded to defend pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. For the Order to carry out its every expanding responsibility, it depended on an immense staff of bureaucrats, administrators, clerks, servants, artisans, craftsmen, masons and chaplains. To be able to continually communicate with its holdings, the Templars also possessed a substantial fleet.
Merchant as well as naval vessels, these ships operated not only in the Mediterranean but also in the Atlantic. Medieval accounts contain frequent references to Templar ports, ships, and naval resources with historical documents bearing the signatures and seals of Templar naval officers (Baigent & Leigh, 1989, p. 61).
During the holiday season of 1997-1998 in Kingstown, St. Vincent, there
was an added excitement in the air. Apart from the cheer associated
with Christmas and the spirit of good-will and optimism as the New Year
began, there was a curiosity and a sense of adventure. This was most
particularly evident in the vicinity of the New Kingstown Fish Market
where, at several times each day, a group of archaeologists with dive
gear and underwater equipment arrived at the fisheries wharf. Traveling
from their headquarters just down Bay Street, they would take a small,
open speedboat out to a wooden platform moored at the southern confine
of the harbor. From there, they would dive hundred feet to the sea
floor and travel back more than two hundred years in time.
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