Extracting Diagnostic Information from Historic Ship Timber Surface Marks: The Case of La Concorde/Queen Anne’s Revenge

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions)", at the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

This study seeks to expand the potential of information gleaned from tool marks on shipwreck timbers using the excavated remains of Blackbeard’s ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge (ex La Concorde, c.1710-1718), as a case study. The approach attempts to utilize the complementary strengths of three different techniques: Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), close-range photogrammetry, and statistical analysis of manual measurements. Presenting an overview of technologies, a particular focus is given to processes which thoroughly capture anthropogenic markings on the timbers in a high level of detail. When compared in aggregate, collated signatures may contribute to a further understanding of how the vessel was constructed, used, and repaired, and outline variations within the tool markings on a single site of this period. The methodology may also establish a baseline of signatures of well-documented provenience for comparison to other shipwreck assemblages.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2024   •
• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions)

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow