- May 20, 2004
- 1,721
- 152
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Excal 1000
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Seeking a ship's watery, old grave
9 July 2006
By AMY REININK
Sun staff writer
In the 1800s, a shipwreck created a nation in the Caribbean Sea.
For the next two weeks, a pair of Gainesville marine archaeologists will search the water off the Turks and Caicos Islands looking for artifacts to positively identify the Trouvadore, a wooden-hulled slave ship that wrecked there in 1841. The African slaves that survived the wreck were freed to populate the islands.
It's a high-profile project that's rare in the specialized field of marine archaeology, and researchers say it could fill a gap in the historical record and give the inhabitants of the islands a material link to their past.
"If it turns out that this is the Trouvadore, it would be huge for the nation itself," said Jason Burns, one of the two archaeologists making the trip. "Pretty much anyone on the island can trace their lineage back to the wreck."
Michael Krivor, 38, and Burns, 34, both of Gainesville's Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc., leave for the two-week expedition today.
The project started several years ago, when archaeologist Donald H. Keith found documentation of the slave ship, and started investigating.
It continued in 2004, when Burns, who was then working for another company, helped a team of archaeologists scour the water off East Caicos for a shipwreck.
They found one.
A team is going back to the islands, located just south of the Bahamas, with specialized equipment built to detect items such as shackles, anchors, glassware or ceramic dishes that could help identify those remains as the Trouvadore.
In addition to other archaeologists, Burns and Krivor will be accompanied by divers, researchers and a team of documentary filmmakers.
Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc., which operates out of a small building with a metal roof just east of the Jonesville Publix on Newberry Road, just added a marine archaeology component to its operation six months ago, making it one of a handful of marine archaeology firms in the country.
Burns said the landlocked location is actually a perfect location for a marine archaeology firm, as easy access to Interstates 75 and 10 make it simple to travel to either coast for projects.
The five marine archaeologists on staff spend their time conducting studies needed to acquire state and federal permits, Burns said.
When the U.S. Navy or another federal agency wants to build a jetty or pier, it needs to make sure the project won't impact any historical or cultural resources. Marine archeologists can identify where those resources - like historic shipwrecks - are, and can help the agency build around them.
"When we get done in the Turks and Caicos, we'll go back to searching in a dirty river somewhere," Burns said.
James Pochurek, a principal of the company, said the marine archaeologists have already brought prestige to their home city.
"It's wonderful to be a part of anything that adds to the historical record," Pochurek said. "Gainesville is now a launching pad for interesting and fantastic marine archaeology projects around the world."
Pochurek said the team will bring a taste of its home city to the Turks and Caicos as well.
"Whenever they custom-order equipment, they make sure to get it in orange or blue," Pochurek said, referring to the University of Florida's school colors. "I think that's pretty cool."
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/LOCAL/207090342/1078/news
9 July 2006
By AMY REININK
Sun staff writer
In the 1800s, a shipwreck created a nation in the Caribbean Sea.
For the next two weeks, a pair of Gainesville marine archaeologists will search the water off the Turks and Caicos Islands looking for artifacts to positively identify the Trouvadore, a wooden-hulled slave ship that wrecked there in 1841. The African slaves that survived the wreck were freed to populate the islands.
It's a high-profile project that's rare in the specialized field of marine archaeology, and researchers say it could fill a gap in the historical record and give the inhabitants of the islands a material link to their past.
"If it turns out that this is the Trouvadore, it would be huge for the nation itself," said Jason Burns, one of the two archaeologists making the trip. "Pretty much anyone on the island can trace their lineage back to the wreck."
Michael Krivor, 38, and Burns, 34, both of Gainesville's Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc., leave for the two-week expedition today.
The project started several years ago, when archaeologist Donald H. Keith found documentation of the slave ship, and started investigating.
It continued in 2004, when Burns, who was then working for another company, helped a team of archaeologists scour the water off East Caicos for a shipwreck.
They found one.
A team is going back to the islands, located just south of the Bahamas, with specialized equipment built to detect items such as shackles, anchors, glassware or ceramic dishes that could help identify those remains as the Trouvadore.
In addition to other archaeologists, Burns and Krivor will be accompanied by divers, researchers and a team of documentary filmmakers.
Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc., which operates out of a small building with a metal roof just east of the Jonesville Publix on Newberry Road, just added a marine archaeology component to its operation six months ago, making it one of a handful of marine archaeology firms in the country.
Burns said the landlocked location is actually a perfect location for a marine archaeology firm, as easy access to Interstates 75 and 10 make it simple to travel to either coast for projects.
The five marine archaeologists on staff spend their time conducting studies needed to acquire state and federal permits, Burns said.
When the U.S. Navy or another federal agency wants to build a jetty or pier, it needs to make sure the project won't impact any historical or cultural resources. Marine archeologists can identify where those resources - like historic shipwrecks - are, and can help the agency build around them.
"When we get done in the Turks and Caicos, we'll go back to searching in a dirty river somewhere," Burns said.
James Pochurek, a principal of the company, said the marine archaeologists have already brought prestige to their home city.
"It's wonderful to be a part of anything that adds to the historical record," Pochurek said. "Gainesville is now a launching pad for interesting and fantastic marine archaeology projects around the world."
Pochurek said the team will bring a taste of its home city to the Turks and Caicos as well.
"Whenever they custom-order equipment, they make sure to get it in orange or blue," Pochurek said, referring to the University of Florida's school colors. "I think that's pretty cool."
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/LOCAL/207090342/1078/news
