SHA 2016-Washington DC

From January 6 through January 10, over 25 of our students, almost all of our professors, and numerous alumni traveled to Washington DC to attend and present at the annual Society for Historical Archaeology Conference. This conference brings together professionals from all over the country and the world to discuss different aspects of historical archaeology, including management, site and artifact finds, and the current state of the archaeological field throughout the world. A number of our students presented on different aspects of their research here at East Carolina, including a large session on the 2015 Summer Field School in Costa Rica. Everyone had a chance to network with professionals in the field, and explore the rich history of our nation's capital. 

Allyson Ropp and Emily Schwalbe presenting on the history of the Costa Rican wreck sites.

Adewale Oyediran presenting on the origins of the slaves that inhabited Costa Rica.

Dr. Nathan Richards discussing the history of El Lanchon.

Scott Rose and Sydney Swierenga showing off their poster on small boat recording in Costa Rica.

Maritime Christmas!!

This past Saturday, MSA hosted at Crossbones Tavern in downtown Greenville their annual Christmas party. The party was time to bring everyone together to enjoy everyone's company prior to the holidays and de-stress from the long and crazy semester. All who turned out showed up in the most festive spirit and happily enjoyed everyone's company. Thanks to Crossbones for hosting our event and making it possible for everyone to enjoy each other's company and the holiday season! Happy Holidays everyone!

Magnetometry Workshop

On Tuesday, November 17th, Adam Parker, a current graduate student in the Program of Maritime Studies, led a workshop on remote sensing focusing on magnetometry and the HyPack software. Although a small group, the students discussed what magnetometry is and how it differs from side scan, how the tow fish is set up and deployed in the water, and the means to analyze the data gathered from the tow fish. Thanks Adam for taking time out your busy schedule to educate our students in a such an exacting and useful art of remote sensing.

A Maritimer's Halloween

This year the Halloween Party returned to Dr. Bradley Rodgers house. He graciously offered his home and fire pit to a host of costumed individuals. The costumes showed a wide range of creative. Everyone from Mis. Steak to Kim Possible to Hawkeye and an elephant and his rider made their presence. Two ring masters even graced us. Thanks Dr. Rodgers for opening your doors to us.

ArcGIS Workshop

Yesterday, MSA provided a learning opportunity for students in the program. In an afternoon, students learned about ArcGIS. They learned how to run basic operations, from making maps with unique data points to analyzing the information once the maps were complete. The turn out was so great that some students only had the opportunity to watch and learn. Special thanks to Adam Parker and Jeremy Borrelli for taking time out of their busy schedules to introduce our students to ArcGIS and being available to answer any questions the students had about the computer program and its uses in archaeology.

International Archaeology Day

On October 17, the world celebrated International Archaeology Day. It was a day to help spread interest in what archaeology is and what archaeologists do to the public. To celebrate, MSA members along with CSI and the QAR Conservation lab were invited by NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to the OBX Seafood Festival in Nags Head. The public outreach event reached about three hundred people and shared our love of archaeology with the public. The event allowed us to explain what underwater archaeology is, the different technologies behind it, and create interest among kids in pursuing history and archaeology. Special thanks to Monitor's Kara David and Will Sassarossi for organizing the event and inviting us down. Also, a shout out to Dr. Nathan Richards for allowing us to stay at his house, so we could make it to the event.

MSA members Lauren Christian, Katie Clevenger and Bettie Pratt sharing our program with some interested people.

Dr. Nathan Richards explaining side scan sonar images to the public. 

Fall Field Schools

This last month, our second years split up to conduct research in the fall field schools. One group, under the guidance of Dr. Bradley Rodgers and DSO Mark Keusenkothen, traveled to Wisconsin to conduct a phase II pre-disturbance survey on Fleetwing. Fleetwing is a schooner built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1867. The group--Katie Clevenger, Lauren Christian, Kelsey Dywer, Mitch Freitas, Victoria Kiefer, and Sydney Swierenga--documented five pieces of the wreck to compare them to previous mapping done on the site. While there, the students also got to explore the stunning country side of Wisconsin and shipwreck trials established by the state.

Swierenga recording a section of Fleetwing

Garrett Bay

The second field school stayed in North Carolina and explored three different sites in different creeks off of the Pamlico River. The students--Elise Carroll, Jim Kinsella, Patrick Merrigan, Bettie Pratt, Allyson Ropp, Sara Spatafore, and Devin Urban--split into three groups each taking a creek. Under the guidance of Dr. David Stewart, each site was recorded as best they could be in the black muddy waters of the Pamlico. The sites included a logging containment area, a centerboard schooner, and a flat bottom vessel. While the students were limited by the conditions of the Pamlico River area, they practiced different techniques of recording and surveying, such as side scan sonar, and dealt with sites many did not know of.

Dr. Stewart driving the boat

Students watching sonar feed, looking for potential targets

Scenic view of Blounts Creek