HomeAcknowledgementsEthical StatementOur missionOur visionTeam
OverviewMarine Astrolabes InventoryPewter from Shipwrecks
Overview
OverviewEtude du site des canons du rocher blanc à El Hamdania, CherchellPreliminary Study of a Shipwreck in the Bay of El Hamdania Beach (Cherchell, Algeria)
OverviewMaritime Archaeology of Baleal
OverviewCheck-List for Investors in Treasure Hunting VenturesCultural Heritage LawEthics TextsResources 2 to deleteShort Texts about Treasure Hunting
All PostsThe Cultural Affiliation of ShipwrecksArchaeology and ChangeLarge and Small Boats: Reflections from Nautical ArchaeologySharing primary data before the work is overArchaeology is public or it is nothingStandardizing the publication of wooden hull structuresPepper Wreck 15 Years LaterThe Nautical Archaeology Digital Library Blog
ShipbuildingReport a findContact us

The Cultural Affiliation of Shipwrecks

Jesús Alberto Aldana Mendoza•
ResearchIdentityShipwrecks

Identity is a central in archaeology. Archaeologists associate the concept of identity with human beings as it refers to age, gender, ethnicity, religion and status. It can either describe individuals or groups.

However, how can archaeologists articulate the notion of identity when dealing with architectural remains? When applied to a shipwreck, the notion of identity can be applied to the humans and artefacts aboard, as well as to the ship itself.

A first definition for identity could refer to the humans on board. The use of material culture to determine the ethnicity of those aboard the vessel is common in the study of shipwrecks, especially for vessels that sailed during historical times when archaeological material can be compared with ethnographic studies.

However, studies on onboard people identity do not always match the nationality of a ship itself. People were mobile, and their presence on board only reflects only a small period of time in the ship's biography.

Regarding the ship itself, the flag or ownership under which the ship once sailed could be seen as a good way to identify the nationality of the ship, but only when historical records are available. Otherwise, archaeologists must rely on other sources of information.

The location of the shipyard can be a good indication of a ship's nationality, but it is not always available through historical records. Moreover, knowing where the ship was built does not always indicate where it was registered, operated from, or what flag it sailed under.

Finally, the shipwreck itself can have its identity associated with its architectural features. For example, studies led on ship build in the Iberian Peninsula during the 15-16th century show that there were recognizable patterns in the construction of ships, which can help attribute a shipwreck to a specific tradition or region.

***

Whether it is the association of the ship to a specific type, function, region, tradition or, in some cases, its name and country of origin, these associations are important for the discipline of nautical archaeology and our understanding of maritime history.

All postsBack to globe