The science and history of shipwreck archaeology

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On Thursday, August 8, at 7 pm at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, archaeologist Marie K. Zahn will present a talk on the science and history of shipwreck archaeology, exploring the journey of an artifact from the past into the present.

According to a press release, when it comes to shipwrecks, archaeologists have a potential time capsule of the past. It’s a safe assumption to claim that most shipwrecks happen unintentionally — all of the objects on board, from the parts of the ships themselves to the cargo and personal items of the crew, sink together. What you have is a single slice of history preserved in one place. This discussion on the world of underwater archaeology focuses on the challenges of artifact conservation and the effects of different underwater environments on ships and their artifacts. See how material objects deteriorate and decay over time by looking at shipwrecks from diverse time periods throughout history, as well as spanning the globe in terms of construction and final resting places — from Ancient Greece to pirate treasure.

Zahn is an archaeologist, artifact conservator, and space scientist. She serves as a solar system ambassador for NASA/JPL. She grew up on Cape Cod, studied, traveled, and worked all over the world before returning to the Cape to work as an underwater archaeologist.

Zahn believes that encouraging people to explore the STEM fields and providing opportunities to experience real-world applications of science is the key to inspiring the next generation of scholars. With her diverse background, Marie aims to make science open, inclusive, and accessible to anyone who’s curious about the past, present, and future.