SHA 2015 - Revisiting the Highbourne Cay Shipwreck Site: Research Potential, Conservation in situ, and the Future of Bahamian Material Culture

REVISITING THE HIGHBOURNE CAY SHIPWRECK SITE:

Research Potential, Conservation in situ, and the Future of Bahamian Material Culture

Photo of the Highbourne Cay Shipwreck in the Exuma Bahamas. By Scott Aranha of Nicholas Budsberg (left) and Rudy Ferguson

Nicholas C. Budsberg, Ph.D. Student Nautical

Archaeology Program Texas A&M University

Prepared for SHA 2015, Seattle, WA

PRESENTATION GOALS1. Discuss the reconnaissance performed in October, 2013

Research Potential Documentation Future research

2. The role and effectiveness of conservation in situ Site dynamics since 1964 Proactive Conservation in situ

3. Future recommendations considering submerged Bahamian material culture Ground-level support for maritime archaeology in the

Bahamas Sustainable practices and social impact The Bahamas and the Highbourne Cay wreck as a case study

2015 SHA Annual Conference Seattle, Wa, Jan. 6th-12th Symposium-21 Recent Developments in the study of hull construction

LOCATION


From google earth

SITE BACKGROUND


Discovered off of Highbourne Cay in the northern Exumas in 1965, and was partially mapped and salvaged from 1966-1967.

The site was further investigated by graduate students from Texas A&M University in 1983, and later in 1986 the site was surveyed and partially excavated.

In the interim between investigations, no other formal reports have been published, although it was known in the 1980’s as well as now, that some charter companies have the dive spot marked on their maps.

Drawing by J. Simmons, 1983

Drawing by J. Simmons, after Hinchman and Copeland 1967

Drawing by J. Simmons, 1986

RESEARCH POTENTIAL

Interaction between European and Lucayan cultures (historic, economic, political etc.)

Role of the vessel from European and Lucayan perspectives

Role of Highbourne Cay Technological position in the history of ship development

Conservation in situ and UCRM practices in general


Individual identity General form or ship type

Purpose for sailing Cause of sinking Dates active/ context People involved Technological details and assemblage

Rates of degradation and Conservation in situ

SPECIFIC GENERAL

The Highbourne Cay wreck is still the most intact example of an Iberian ship yet published, and may represent the earliest European shipwreck in the New World.

It has a unique history since it has been rediscovered: 1960’s, 1980’s, & 2013

Blue = 1960’sRed & Blue = 1980’sYellow & Red, Blue = proposed

Drawing by J. Simmons, 1986, Photo copyright INA

RECONNAISSANCE VISIT 2013 Documentation included: -GPS coordinates, -350+ photographs,-multiple video clips, -several dozen sketches of the general site, profiles, and

specific areas, -measurements of the general site and ballast mound, -a visual survey of the Highbourne Cut, -and descriptions and impressions by the volunteers.


Photo By Scott Aranha of the Highbourne Cay wreck and Nicholas Budsberg


Photo By Scott Aranha of the Highbourne Cay wreck


Photo By Scott Aranha of the Highbourne Cay wreck and Laura King

SITE PICTURES




Photo By Laura King of the Highbourne Cay wreck, and Nicholas Budsberg and Rudy Ferguson (right)



SIGN FROM 1986 INVESTIGATIONS


LEAVE THIS SITE ALONE.

THERE IS NO TREASURE HERE! THESE STONES ARE THE LAST REMAINS OF AN HISTORIC SHIPWRECK, PART OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE PEOPLE

OF THE BAHAMAS. IT IS PROTECTED BY THE BAHAMIAN GOVT. AND REMOVAL

OF ANY OBJECTS IS ILLEGAL.--TAKE ONLY PICTURES, LEAVE

ONLY BUBBLES--

Photo By Nicholas Budsberg, Plexiglas sign from the Highbourne Cay wreck


Photo By Scott Aranha of a surface artifact at the Highbourne Cay wreck site

ASSESSMENTIn general, the ballast mound is intact and matches similar measurements as reported at the end of the 1986 field season [10m x 4.2m x 1.5m]. However, the ballast mound has ultimately lost ~2m of length, as well as the associated timbers underneath the ends.Areas of backfill from the previous excavations had settled some. Undercuts have continued to form on each side in certain areas. No timbers were visible.


Image by J. Simmons

PROACTIVE CONSERVATION IN SITUThis year, it will have been 50 years since the initial discovery of the vessel by sport divers. These five decades have relied on ‘passive conservation in situ’, while other options are needed in order to ensure the sites survival.


Requires active monitoring Demands training personnel and resources

When possible, incorporate tourism and public relations

Function as preventative and reactive Sacrificial iron, shoring

THE FUTURE OF U.C.H. IN THE BAHAMASThe Bahamas archipelago encompasses more than 700 islands, cays and islets. It is home to 350,000 inhabitants, and a favorite tourist destination for over 5 million visitors each year. 3.5 million of these were on cruise ships (10x the pop) that docked in Nassau. This flow of tourism accounts for 60% of the island nation’s GDP, and directly employs over 50% of the population in tourism-related jobs.

In the coming years, the government of the Bahamas plans to lift the moratorium and allow salvage in their waters once more.

No better time or place could be asked for to have a case study assessing the effectiveness of a local maritime project to change public perception.


ETHICAL, COLLABORATIVE, SUSTAINABLE, & SOCIAL


A RESOUNDING THANK YOU TO:

Institute of Nautical Archaeology Center for Maritime Archaeology and

Conservation L. T. Jordan Institute Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas Mr. Michael Pateman & the Antiquities,

Monuments, and Museums Corp. The Bahamas Historical Society Mr. Stephen Aranha & the College of the

Bahamas Ms. Nikita Shiel-Rolle & the Young Marine

Explorers Group Dr. Sam Turner & the Institute for

Maritime History Dr. Roger Smith & the Florida Bureau for

Archaeological Research Dr. John Knowles & The Orchard Hotel

The Poop Deck, Nassau Mr. Corey Malcom & The Mel Fisher

Institute Dr. Kelley Scudder & the Zemi Foundation My Deep Blue View Underwater Photography The Bahamas National Archives The Bahamas National Registrars Office The Lands and Surveys Department of the

Bahamas The 2013 Reconnaissance Crew Mr. Paul Aranha The Past Highbourne Cay Wreck Research

Team Texas A&M University, Anthropology

Department, Faculty and Students Society for Historical Archaeology

Documents

SHA 2015 - Revisiting the Highbourne Cay Shipwreck Site: Research Potential, Conservation in situ, and the Future of Bahamian Material Culture