2016 Maritime Field School

For five days in July 2016, PAST partnered with the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (MBUAR), Salem State University (SSU), and Nautical Archaeology Society to give students from SSU an incredible hands-on learning  experience.

This was the second annual maritime archaeological field school in Salem, and again Dr. Calvin Mires of PAST to guide the students. The goal of the Salem Field School is to promote the stewardship of maritime culture and preserve the rich history of the American shipping industry. That include discovering and uncovering the ships themselves.The shipwreck used for this field school was the ADA K DAMON, a 19th century schooner that was blown onto the beach on December 26, 1909, and never again sailed.

168. Making Education Feel Magical with Buddy BerryFor five days in July 2016, PAST partnered with the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological...

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During the week students learned multiple methods of archaeological documentation:

1. Basic hand-drawn site mapping techniques

2. Drone video and photography

3. 3d imagery using open source phone apps such as 123d catch

4. 3d imagery using photogrammetry

5. Some exposure to underwater 3d measurement techniques like site recorder

To focus student efforts and provide a real-world problem, students were broken into four teams of three students each,  and assigned a web page to develop.

1. Build It – assigned to describe ship construction

2. Sail It – assigned to discuss sailing life and culture

3. Sink It – assigned to explain reasons ships sink

4. Map it – discuss methodologies

As a capstone, all four teams had to brainstorm around the wicked question: how does your section help the Massachusetts preserve and manage shipwrecks? Student presented their findings during the presentation of learning on the last day of the field school.

See the students’ website. To learn more about this program, contact Dr. Calvin Mires.

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