The
Challenge of Underwater Archaeological Survey
SOA in the Field
The
Challenge of Underwater Archaeological Survey
To be able to find and study ancient shipwrecks, one has to apply a wide range of technology that requires as much technical know-how as historical and archaeological training. With a small team, it is essential that each person contribute a variety of skills to the project so that the goals of the project can be achieved - even if that sometimes involves the archaeologists taking a back seat to the technical experts!
Here you can learn about some of the technology and techniques that SOA will employ in the field...
SOA has a multidisciplinary team. For us, a computer expert is as valuable as an archaeologist or diver, since we are always working in remote areas and need to be able to solve all our technical and computer problems on the spot. A doctor is also a useful team member since, although diving accidents are rare, the environment and conditions of our work often lead to minor illness and injuries that require treatment in the field. Every team member will be involved in the day-to-day tasks such as filling tanks, running compressors, time keeping, diving, paperwork, or helping in the kitchen. Learn more about our team >
The Shipwrecks of Anatolia Project is extremely dependent on computer technology. Our web page, web cam and 3D digital mapping system are just a few examples of how computers support our work. One of the project's main goals is the detailed imaging of the archaeological sites, and that is mostly done on a digital platform.
Although computers often seem to make things complicated, we have tried to keep our system as simple as possible. We have managed to control all the web cam equipment and web page transmissions from a single portable computer, connected to a cellular phone. This also allows us to be very mobile and flexible.
Our computer system is composed of three main components:
A desktop computer with AMD 600 Mhz CPU and Matrox G400 video card is used to process the digital imaging. We use the Matrox video card because of its double monitor support, which makes the graphic work easier. The videos and photographs taken by digital cameras are transferred to the computer using a capture card. The best ones are then selected and uploaded to our web-site daily.
Two portable computers are used for live transmission to the internet : Our HP 5700 with Intel Pentium 166 CPU (having a PCMCI capture card) communicates with a GSM phone using an infrared communication port, or, if necessary, we can use a PCMCI modem to connect either with a normal telephone line or with GSM by cable.
Our second portable computer is a HP4150 Pentium II CPU and 64 MB memory. A capture device (DAZZLE) connected from parallel port is used for capturing videos. Our internet connection from this computer is by a Nokia Card Phone that connects at a speed of up to 19200 bps. Just in case the telephone signals get weaker, we also use a signal amplifier for the GSM and the Nokia card. All the web-design and uploading to the internet site is done through our HP4150.
Diving
Equipment
The places where shipwrecks are found are not usually easy places to anchor our
research vessel. Some sites have shallow rocks, others have strong currents, and
others are prone to strong and unpredictable winds. Special
training and safety equipment are needed for this kind of diving. Our equipment is not as
colorful or as fancy as what you might see in the window of a dive store, and most likely the old
look of some of our equipment will surprise you - but appearances can be
misleading. Although we make great demands of
our equipment (and yes, it does start to look a bit shabby!) we also take great
care to ensure that it is all well maintained, regularly checked, and
safe. Also, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with our
equipment underwater, we are trained to deal with the situation.
We use single 15 lt. tanks for our survey dives, During underwater excavations where dives are longer and highly regulated, some divers prefer to use double tanks. However, during survey and observation dives we try to keep the bottom times short to avoid the need for prolonged decompression, and the single 15 lt. tank will be adequate for SOA project dives. If a decompression obligation is incurred, we decompress breathing pure oxygen at a depth of 6m. Breathing pure oxygen speeds up the process of eliminating the nitrogen absorbed by our bodies at depth, thus reducing the chances of decompression sickness (the bends).
Photo and Video Equipment
Since one of SOA's main goals is to make a detailed visual record of the sites, we pay special attention to all our imaging equipment:
Olympus Digital Camera with underwater housing
Olympus digital camera D-460 for surface
Sony TDR DV video camera
Sony DCR-VX700E with Amphibico underwater housing
Nikonos-V with 15mm UW-NIKKOR lens still camera for underwater photography
2 underwater lights 1000W each with a 100m cable, powered by a surface generator
GPS technology
We use a portable Garmin-45 GPS. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
We use GPS technology to position the shipwrecks accurately, and record the routes followed by divers by tracking their bubbles on the surface. By recording dives precisely with the GPS, we know exactly what areas our divers have explored, which helps with the planning of future dives and surveys.
If you want to learn more about GPS click HERE
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