Tools in Marine Archeology

Diving Gear

• Archaeological investigators need scuba gear for work underwater. Scuba gear consists of a wet suit, air tanks, mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt, inflatable vest and a watch. Deep depths and disturbed silt on the sea floor reduces visibility, sometimes to zero, requiring the use of underwater lights. Divers use marine camera equipment to record large underwater findings that cannot be brought to the surface. Marine archaeologists also carry a measuring tape and plastic notepad that enables them to take notes underwater.

Laboratory Equipment

• Scientists in archaeological laboratories study and record findings excavated from underwater locations. Studies are conducted with specialized equipment such as microscopes, x-ray machines and chemical-analysis equipment. Photographic techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet imaging provide possible answers to complex questions.

Excavation and Mapping

• The discovery of buried artifacts requires excavating of the seabed with specialized tools and equipment. An area within the seabed may be silty, sandy, hard or rocky; each type requires different types of digging tools. Specially designed vacuum extraction hoses, called dredges, bring soft seabed materials to the surface for testing in labs. Dredges also move top layers of seabed away from the excavation site. Giant balloons, called liftbags, bring large objects to the surface and a crane lifts the object on to the ship.

  Mapping the sea floor is vital for marine archaeologists to record locations of excavation sites and discovered objects. A Global Positioning System makes mapping easier than using photographic equipment due to visibility issues.

Detection Equipment

• Remote sensing equipment like a magnetometer and sonar help marine archaeologists locate objects underwater, such as ships and planes that have become unrecognizable by corrosion. A magnetometer detects metallic objects by measuring the intensity of the magnetic field. A large spike in the reading indicates an object made of iron. Side-scan sonar systems send and receive acoustic pulses along the sea floor. Echoes are received by a monitor, forming a picture of the sea floor.