In this first volume to comprehensively catalogue the many physical and cultural processes affecting the development of shipwreck sites, Matthew Keith brings together experts in diverse fields such as geology, soil and wood chemistry, micro- and marine biology, and sediment dynamics. The case studies examine the natural and anthropogenic processes--corrosion and degradation, fishing and trawling--that contribute to the present condition of shipwreck sites. The contributors address the many factors that influence the formation and preservation of shipwreck sites: the materials from which the ship was built, the underwater environment, and subsequent events such as human activity, storms, and chemical reactions, and discuss the impact these varied and often overlapping events have on the archaeological record. Offering an in-depth analysis of emerging technologies and methods--acoustic positioning, computer modeling, and site reconstruction--this is essential reading for the research and preservation of submerged heritage sites. |