A Puzzle from the Deep: The Mystery of the Empty 19th Century Shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico

Summary

An intriguing mystery has presented itself in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM): the discovery of several 19th century shipwrecks apparently bare of portable artifacts. Improved technology has, in the past decade, allowed for cheaper and safer production of oil in the deep waters of the GOM. Under the direction of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, companies are required to conduct high-resolution geophysical surveys of their leases in advance of bottom disturbance. This has resulted in the discovery of several well-preserved deep-water shipwrecks dating from the colonial period through WWII. Remotely Operated Vehicle investigations have revealed that many of these vessels retain expensive features such as copper sheathing or propulsion equipment, yet are seemingly devoid of small objects such as bottles and ceramics. This presentation explores potential explanations for the presence of these empty shipwrecks and attempts to place them within the greater archaeological landscape of the GOM.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Digital Age: Advances to Underwater Archaeological Survey Techniques   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2015

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

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PaperId(s): 312