HMS Erebus Artifacts: In-Context finds and Future Potential

Author(s): Charles Dagneau

Year: 2016

Summary

The discovery of Sir John Franklin's lost ship HMS Erebus by Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team and its partners in September 2014 promises long-waited answers to the great mystery of the Franklin expedition. The initial archaeological studies of the site in 2014-2015 clearly demonstrate a great potential for in-context, intact artifact group discoveries. This paper describes the artifacts raised so far and some others yet to be mapped and raised, in an effort to demonstrate the enormous archaeological potential of the site. These include artifacts such as the latest Arctic-adapted equipment, elements of Royal Navy uniforms, shipboard equipment and personal belongings. This paper will discuss the meaning of the finds to date, both as part of the 1845 Franklin expedition and in the wider context of mid-nineteenth century Arctic exploration by the British Royal Navy.

Cite this Record

HMS Erebus Artifacts: In-Context finds and Future Potential. Charles Dagneau. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Washington, D.C. 2016 ( tDAR id: 435046)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

min long: -141.003; min lat: 41.684 ; max long: -52.617; max lat: 83.113 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 754