Conservation of artifacts from a Portuguese wreck: An opportunity for learning

Summary

The wreck of the Esmerelda, a Nau from Vasco da Gama's second voyage to India was discovered during survey in 1998 and excavated over two seasons. The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MHC) worked with Bournemouth University and Blue water recoveries to create the project, the first of it's kind in Oman. The project is now part of the development of a marine archaeological department within Oman training archaeologists within the MHC in the survey, excavation and protection of marine sites. Ongoing conservation work has provided the staff of the MHC with an opportunity to engage with the material first hand and to understand the vulnerabilities of marine artifacts. Staff also assisted in the investigation of material through collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and outside experts. This paper will discuss the ways in which learning conservation skills has benefited marine archaeology within Oman.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018   •
• The Maritime Archaeology of Al Hallaniyah, Khuriya Muriya Islands, Oman

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 1003