A day in the life of a maritime archaeologist
Guest post!
Despite having similar theoretical backgrounds,
it is obviously clear that the methods and technologies used in maritime
archaeology differ drastically from terrestrial research. Though volumes have been written on my
particular discipline, I wanted to present a more personal and perhaps more
accessible example of what life on the water is truly like.
As with any field archaeological project
our day starts early, typically before sunrise. We usually rise somewhere around 5 am and prepare for the day. We arrive at the local marina where our
survey vessel is currently stowed, in this particular case we have the luxury
of keeping the vessel in the water and don’t have to launch and recover it on a
daily basis. Supplies are refilled, boat
engines are checked and the equipment is prepped. For the current survey we are utilizing a
side-scan sonar and magnetometer, supported by an echo-sounder to gather
bathymetric data (water depth, etc.). The side-scan sonar and magnetometer are housed in “towfishes”, or
instruments that are towed behind or off the side of the survey vessel. The echo-sounder is mounted to the vessel so
the only equipment that needs to prepped and tested are the remote sensing
towfishes. 
Once all equipment is tested and prepared
we make the trek some 20 miles offshore to begin the day’s survey. The journey takes around an hour depending on
the weather. Once on site, the equipment
is deployed off the stern of the vessel and all lines secured. Once satisfied that the equipment is stable
and recording accurate data we begin the bulk of the day’s activity, driving
lines or “mowing the lawn”, which simply consists of piloting the vessel in
parallel transect spaced an equidistance apart over the entire portion of the
previously identified survey area. Both
data outputs can be observed in real time but any real analysis is done after
processing. On this particular day we
are accompanied by a pod of dolphins which are often attracted to the survey
vessel. Presumably they are entertained
by the sonar pings as they seem to be particularly attracted to it, in some
cases masking the data altogether.
Survey time on the water is only limited by
weather conditions and available sunlight (or in poorly planned excursions, gas
levels). On this particular day, we are
able to survey for a solid 10 hours and return to land in time to refuel the
vessel, stow the equipment, and refill any depleted supplies. Once back in hotel/house/condo the data is
processed, food is cooked, weather predictions for the following day consulted,
and a cold beer consumed. Ah the life of
survey on the water.
Maritime Archaeologist, Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc.
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