Detection and mapping of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments

O. Grøn; Lars Ole Boldreel; D.  Cvikel; Y.  Kahanov; E.  Galili; J.-P.  Hermand; Dag Nævestad; M.  Reitan

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.005

Detection and mapping of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments

O. Grøn, Lars Ole Boldreel, D. Cvikel, Y. Kahanov, E. Galili, J.-P. Hermand, Dag Nævestad, M. Reitan

Geology

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The paper discusses the detection of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments using a Chirp sub-bottom profiler. From a methodological-historical perspective it presents four examples of recent chirp recordings of verified shipwrecks embedded in different types of sediment environments, from different geographical and geological areas and from different periods. The effects of shallow water depths, different sediment types, recording speed and different (2D and 3D) sub-bottom profiler systems are briefly discussed. It is concluded that Chirps are well suited for survey purposes, producing high quality 2D profiles of good resolution and satisfactory penetration depth. Furthermore, the equipment is easy to handle from a small boat and allows flexible sailing. This type of 2D data is cheaper and faster to acquire and is easier to interpret and apparently also provides better resolution and detail than present 3D systems. Chirp data are therefore of great value in identifying and outlining shipwrecks hidden in the sea floor in survey situations where larger areas must be covered. The overall conclusion is that there are grounds for optimism with regard to this method of detection of maritime archaeological targets.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Volume	4
Pages (from-to)	242–251
ISSN	2352-409X
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.005
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2015

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10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.005

Cite this

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title = "Detection and mapping of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments",

abstract = "The paper discusses the detection of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments using a Chirp sub-bottom profiler. From a methodological-historical perspective it presents four examples of recent chirp recordings of verified shipwrecks embedded in different types of sediment environments, from different geographical and geological areas and from different periods. The effects of shallow water depths, different sediment types, recording speed and different (2D and 3D) sub-bottom profiler systems are briefly discussed. It is concluded that Chirps are well suited for survey purposes, producing high quality 2D profiles of good resolution and satisfactory penetration depth. Furthermore, the equipment is easy to handle from a small boat and allows flexible sailing. This type of 2D data is cheaper and faster to acquire and is easier to interpret and apparently also provides better resolution and detail than present 3D systems. Chirp data are therefore of great value in identifying and outlining shipwrecks hidden in the sea floor in survey situations where larger areas must be covered. The overall conclusion is that there are grounds for optimism with regard to this method of detection of maritime archaeological targets.",

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T1 - Detection and mapping of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments

AU - Grøn, O.

AU - Boldreel, Lars Ole

AU - Cvikel, D.

AU - Kahanov, Y.

AU - Galili, E.

AU - Hermand, J.-P.

AU - Nævestad, Dag

AU - Reitan, M.

PY - 2015/12/1

Y1 - 2015/12/1

N2 - The paper discusses the detection of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments using a Chirp sub-bottom profiler. From a methodological-historical perspective it presents four examples of recent chirp recordings of verified shipwrecks embedded in different types of sediment environments, from different geographical and geological areas and from different periods. The effects of shallow water depths, different sediment types, recording speed and different (2D and 3D) sub-bottom profiler systems are briefly discussed. It is concluded that Chirps are well suited for survey purposes, producing high quality 2D profiles of good resolution and satisfactory penetration depth. Furthermore, the equipment is easy to handle from a small boat and allows flexible sailing. This type of 2D data is cheaper and faster to acquire and is easier to interpret and apparently also provides better resolution and detail than present 3D systems. Chirp data are therefore of great value in identifying and outlining shipwrecks hidden in the sea floor in survey situations where larger areas must be covered. The overall conclusion is that there are grounds for optimism with regard to this method of detection of maritime archaeological targets.

AB - The paper discusses the detection of shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments using a Chirp sub-bottom profiler. From a methodological-historical perspective it presents four examples of recent chirp recordings of verified shipwrecks embedded in different types of sediment environments, from different geographical and geological areas and from different periods. The effects of shallow water depths, different sediment types, recording speed and different (2D and 3D) sub-bottom profiler systems are briefly discussed. It is concluded that Chirps are well suited for survey purposes, producing high quality 2D profiles of good resolution and satisfactory penetration depth. Furthermore, the equipment is easy to handle from a small boat and allows flexible sailing. This type of 2D data is cheaper and faster to acquire and is easier to interpret and apparently also provides better resolution and detail than present 3D systems. Chirp data are therefore of great value in identifying and outlining shipwrecks hidden in the sea floor in survey situations where larger areas must be covered. The overall conclusion is that there are grounds for optimism with regard to this method of detection of maritime archaeological targets.

U2 - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.005

DO - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.005

M3 - Journal article

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EP - 251

JO - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

JF - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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