Maritime and Underwater Archaeology Flashcards

Flashcards covering introductory concepts in underwater, maritime, and nautical archaeology based on lecture notes and visual diagrams.

What is the primary difference between maritime archaeology and nautical archaeology?

Maritime archaeology studies maritime communities and human interactions with coastal environments, whereas nautical archaeology focuses specifically on ship construction, boats, and seafaring technology.

Who is widely recognized as the 'father of underwater archaeology'?

George F Bass

Who co-invented SCUBA and played a major role in popularizing oceanographic exploration?

Jacques Cousteau

What underwater surveying device shown here is towed behind a ship to map the sea floor using sound waves?

A sidescan sonar towfish, which is best suited for detecting targets on flat, sandy sea floors.

What tethered underwater robotic system depicted here is used to survey and excavate deep-water sites?

A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), specifically the JASON ROV.

What hominin species nicknamed 'The Hobbit' was discovered on the island of Flores in Indonesia?

Homo floresiensis

What archaeological site on Flores yielded stone artifacts and fossils dating back to 700,000 BP?

Mata Menge, Flores

What type of artifact shown here provides indirect evidence of pre-Neolithic seafaring in the Aegean between Melos and Franchthi Cave?

Melian obsidian blades

What type of experimental papyrus craft was reconstructed and tested in Corfu to replicate early Aegean watercraft?

A papyrella

When does the earliest certain depiction of a square sail appear in Egyptian iconography, as shown on this pot?

Ca. 3100 B.C., painted on a Predynastic (Naqada III) vessel.

What 4th Dynasty royal vessel (ca. 2565 B.C.) constructed of Lebanese cedar was unearthed near the Great Pyramid?

The Royal Ship of Khufu (Khufu's Barge).

What hull planking features are illustrated in this diagram of Khufu's Barge?

Joggled planks, scarfs, and transverse rope lashings.

What activity is depicted in this wall relief from the 5th Dynasty Tomb of Ti (ca. 2375 B.C.)?

A shipbuilding scene showing artisans constructing a hull using adzes.

What structural features were utilized on the seagoing ship depicted in the Tomb of Sahure (ca. 2475 B.C.) to prevent longitudinal hull deformation?

A hogging truss, truss girdle, and cable girdle.

What seafaring expedition is commemorated in the reliefs of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri?

Queen Hatshepsut's trade expedition across the Red Sea to the land of Punt.

Why are Early Bronze Age Cycladic ceramic objects like the one shown here named 'frying pans'?

Because they resemble frying pans in overall shape.

Which two islands in the Cyclades group shown in this map are geologically volcanic?

Thera (Santorini) and Melos.

What famous Bronze Age fresco discovered at Akrotiri, Thera, depicts a fleet of decorated vessels?

The Ship Procession Fresco from the West House.

What main metal cargo is being excavated by the diver on the Uluburun shipwreck?

354 copper oxhide ingots.

What gold-clad artifact was recovered from the Late Bronze Age Uluburun shipwreck?

A gold-clad bronze figurine of a Canaanite goddess.

What type of ancient ceramic containers from the Uluburun shipwreck are being treated by the conservator?

Canaanite amphoras.

According to the law of superposition, what is the relative age of stratum A if it lies below stratum B?

Stratum A is earlier (older) than stratum B.

Why is commercial treasure hunting considered non-scientific compared to archaeological excavation?

Because it is a for-profit enterprise that sells artifacts, divides assemblages, destroys context, and rarely excavates sites completely.

Why did ancient Egyptian ships typically store cargo on deck rather than below deck?

Because their hulls had weak framing or no internal frames/ribs in the hold.

What notable maritime artifacts were discovered inside the Middle Kingdom cave complex at Mersa Gawasis, Egypt?

25-30 coils of ship rope, steering oars, and wooden timber fragments.

Where did the Late Bronze Age Uluburun shipwreck sink ca. 1305 B.C.?

Off the southern coast of Turkey near Kaş.

What unusual shapes were included among the pan-balance weight sets found at Uluburun?

Zoomorphic (animal-shaped) weights.

What defines a Greek 'rhyton'?

A ceremonial libation vessel with a hole in the bottom that cannot be set down on a flat surface without spilling its contents.

What fundamental conservation step is required for organic and metallic artifacts recovered from a marine environment?

Desalination (the removal of salts).

What term describes the stern deckhouse or cabin structures shown on Bronze Age Minoan ships?

Ikria