Searching for Guerrero in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Summary

Spurred by Guerrero’s tragic end and its cultural heritage value, researchers have searched for archaeological remains in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park that bring the story to life. Magnetic and diver surveys by the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, RPM Nautical Foundation, FKNMS Submerged Resource Inventory Team and Diving With a Purpose (DWP) investigated shallow reefs surrounding Turtle Harbor and located numerous shipwrecks and other sites. While two sites offer comparison points to the Guerrero story, only limited archaeological remains have been found to date. Site mapping by DWP of one shipwreck offers a detailed view of the cultural material on a site with potential to be Guerrero. Recent research by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and DWP refined the suspected site characterization. The team also initiated further magnetic survey to eliminate remaining areas as holding yet undiscovered Guerrero remains.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018   •
• A Multi-Agency Archeological Survey In Search Of Evidence Of The Pirate Slave Trader Guerrero Along The Boundary Of Biscayne National Park And The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 794