Nautical Archaeology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines shipwrecks, sunken harbors and other submerged evidence of human activity from the Stone Age through early modern times. Explores the archaeology, technology and cultural significance of maritime societies, emphasizing the methods used to survey, map, excavate, conserve and interpret submerged sites. Reviews case examples from the Mediterranean and northern Europe, including Bronze Age, Classical, Byzantine, medieval and Viking vessels, while considering the relationship of seafaring to cultural geography and the broader human past. Ship construction, diving technology, site preservation and surveying techniques are addressed and explored through various case studies. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in nautical archaeology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Shipwrecks; submerged harbors; inundated archaeological sites; Bronze Age Mediterranean vessels; Egyptian Nile boats; Classical Greek and Phoenician ships; Greek warships (triremes, polyremes); Roman merchantmen; Byzantine ships; late medieval Mediterranean ships; late medieval warships; carracks; Scandinavian and Northern European ships; Viking ships; cogs; hulks; ship construction; rigging; armament; nautical technology; maritime trade; naval warfare; cultural geography; survey and mapping techniques; excavation and conservation methods; diving technology; artifact analysis; heritage management; iconography; relevance to modern maritime research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; also taught at Galveston campus.