Morphological and Geochemical Analysis of Columbus-era Wrought Iron Artifacts of Caballo Blanco Reef, Dominican Republic

Summary

Caballo Blanco Reef, located offshore of Isla Saona on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, exhibits a dense assemblage of submerged cultural resources spanning the breadth of European presence in the Americas. Most significant are two concentrations of jettisoned wrought-iron artillery and associated anchors that together are identified as a Columbus-era grounding site. Analysis of the anchor morphology provides insight into the characteristics diagnostic of the time period. Furthermore, ongoing geochemical analysis of the wrought iron from Caballo Blanco offers additional understanding of contact period metallurgy. Caballo Blanco is among the few documented Columbus-era sites in the Americas. As part of Indiana University’’s long-term efforts to protect the significant submerged cultural and associated biological resources of the Dominican Republic, Caballo Blanco is being nominated to the National System of Living Museums in the Sea.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Iberian Seafaring Studies : Bridging the Gap   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-25,05