The Deep-water Ecology of the HMS Olympus: an Analysis of the Archaeological Impact of Marine Growth on Submerged Material Culture Beneath the Photic Zone.

Summary

This is a paper/report submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Since 1942, the HMS Olympus has rested at approximately 130 meters beneath the surface and has become a thriving deep water reef environment. Since the submarine's rediscovery, it has been visited by teams of technical divers lead by Professor Timmy Gambin. Given its depth, researchers have only a short period of bottom time during which they may examine the wreck's condition. On other deep wrecks, modern techniques such as 3D-photogrametry have been used to quickly create a digital model which may then be analyzed at the surface. This paper examines why such a technique is inapplicable, and proposes an alternative method by which the wreck may be studied through an analysis of the marine biota which has collonized it. Additionally, the method allows for the establishment of a framework to add future data, and promote the longterm management of the site.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2020 SHA General Sessions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 648