From 1585 to 1800, Walcheren was a major destination for international sailing ships in the Netherlands, as it was home to the headquarters of the VOC Chamber of Zeeland. In that time, many ships...Show moreFrom 1585 to 1800, Walcheren was a major destination for international sailing ships in the Netherlands, as it was home to the headquarters of the VOC Chamber of Zeeland. In that time, many ships found their end around Walcheren. One of the many causes was the surrounding waterscape, which was and still is very dynamic and rapidly changing, because of which ships would run aground and eventually wreck. However, as they were also buried quickly by the sedimentation, a lot of shipwrecks has been preserved until today. As the currents of the estuaries around Walcheren have moved over the past few centuries, the protective sediment layers on top of the shipwrecks is being eroded, uncovering the shipwrecks. On top of the seabed, the shipwrecks are exposed to decay and erosion, and thus archaeologists need to act quick. One of the approaches to proactively locate the shipwrecks before it is too late, is the creation of prediction maps. This research has studied the changes in the morphology of the waterscape of Walcheren from 1585 to 1800, based on historical maps and bathymetrical reconstructions. These were combined with historical data of shipping routes and average drafts to create so-called risk areas that ships, if they were to sail into it, had a high a likelihood of running aground and consequently wrecking. Based on the reconstructed and modern bathymetry, this research analysed the change in the waterscape from 1585 to the present. Based on this information, a prediction map was created, predicting areas in which shipwrecks are most likely to have been preserved. Both this preservation prediction map and the risk area prediction map were tested by overlaying them with contemporarily documented shipwreck locations. The results showed that the vast majority of documented shipwrecks was located in the predicted areas of both maps, proving their accuracy.Show less
This thesis aims to research the transition of footwear types in the Early Modern period (1500-1800) found in shipwrecks in the former Zuiderzee and the Waddenzee. The beginning of the Early Modern...Show moreThis thesis aims to research the transition of footwear types in the Early Modern period (1500-1800) found in shipwrecks in the former Zuiderzee and the Waddenzee. The beginning of the Early Modern period saw many technological and typological changes compared to the end of the Late Medieval times (1300-1500). Despite this, little research has been conducted on the footwear of this period, meaning the extent and longevity of these changes are not clearly understood. To get a better insight into these changes, the footwear collection of five shipwrecks (SO1, OB71, NE81, OM65 and OL79) has been researched. These shipwrecks have a known wreck date, providing the footwear with a precise date concerning the use of the footwear. The footwear fragments of the collection are documented based on several characteristics such as the decoration, height and composition of the heel, construction and shape of the soles, and user traces. Additionally, the footwear is classified according to the typology proposed in Goubitz et al. (2001), and a spatial relationship between the footwear fragments and the find location on the shipwrecks is made, if possible. The researched collections display a wide variety of characteristics, confirming the notion that this period saw many technological and typological changes. These changes revolve around four categories: the construction of the soles, the appearance and increasing length of the heel, the decoration motifs and frequency and the change in footwear types related to a specific timeframe. The observed changes provide valuable new information regarding the composition of the five footwear collections and the Early Modern footwear in general. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a correlation between the location of the shipwrecks and the use of footwear based on the visible user traces on the fragments. Though this thesis provides new insights into the technological and typological changes of the Early Modern period, further research should be conducted to see whether the researched collections are representative of this period or are exceptions.Show less
In deze bachelor scriptie is een selectie van gietijzeren kanonskogels uit de collectie van het Maritiem Archeologisch Depot van Batavialand onderzocht met het doel de oorzaak vast te stellen voor...Show moreIn deze bachelor scriptie is een selectie van gietijzeren kanonskogels uit de collectie van het Maritiem Archeologisch Depot van Batavialand onderzocht met het doel de oorzaak vast te stellen voor de waargenomen degradatie in deze objecten. De kogels zijn onderzocht doormiddel van visueel onderzoek, het lezen van oude archeologische- en conserverings-documentaties en door vergelijkingen in conditie te trekken tussen de kogels in het verleden en heden, om zo de oorzaak van de degradatie te achterhalen. Uit dit onderzoek is gebleken dat het overgrote deel van de kanonskogels actief aan het corroderen is. Na verder onderzoek naar de eerdere conservering is gebleken dat een deel van de conserveringstechnieken die zijn gebruikt voor de kogels achterhaald en minder effectief zijn in vergelijking met huidige technieken. Een van de voornaamste verouderde technieken die een grote invloed hebben op de huidige conditie van de canonskogels, zijn het ontzouten van het ijzer doormiddel van gloeien tot 800°C, en het aanbrengen van een dikke coating van epoxyhars op het oppervlak van de kanonskogels. Ook is gebleken dat de huidige wijze van opslag in Batavialand ontoereikend is voor de opslag van maritiem archeologisch ijzer. Deze conclusie is getrokken uit onderzoek naar de opstelling, relatieve luchtvochtigheid (RV), temperatuur, licht en verontreinigende stoffen in de opslagruimte. Hiervan was vooral de RV zeer verontrustend omdat deze sterk schommelt: ’s winters tussen de 20-50%, en ’s zomers tussen de 55-85%. Aan de hand van deze onderzoeksuitslagen is geconcludeerd dat de gietijzeren kanonskogels interventie nodig hebben om te voorkomen dat deze verder degraderen en zo archeologische informatie verloren gaat. Tot slot zijn aanbevelingen gegeven voor aanpassingen in het collectiebeheer van Batavialand om deze voortdurende degradering te voorkomen.Show less
This thesis analysed how recreational divers' interactions with underwater cultural heritage (UCH) can positively add to UCH's narrative, values, and safeguarding. Investigation on this topic...Show moreThis thesis analysed how recreational divers' interactions with underwater cultural heritage (UCH) can positively add to UCH's narrative, values, and safeguarding. Investigation on this topic included the creation of interactions and values coupled with a review of the relevance of current laws and scuba schools’ education pertaining to UCH. Nonetheless, recreational scuba divers are recurrently sidelined as stakeholders in preserving the longevity of UCH, oftentimes due to a lack of knowledge and awareness, despite them being the core community able to interact with UCH. As a piece of collective history, cultural heritage belongs to the community and should be an accessible experience. Methods of investigation included both desk-based and ethnographic research. Observations from desk-based research on ocean dynamics highlighted the anthropocentric mindset of current understandings of legislation and education, which influences individuals' interactions and values. These experiences are all subjective to the beholder, shifting the discussion from 'how do we value' to 'how do we live' with UCH. While ethnographic research in the form of interviews with recreational dive professionals emphasised the need to adhere to simple mottos to instil proper etiquette while diving on UCH, regardless of the dive site (nature vs culture) and call for more accountability from scuba schools to relay universal guidelines. Questionnaires from maritime archaeologists and heritage managers gave a professional perspective on the recreational dive community and their interactions with UCH, demonstrating that personal narratives shift the interpretation of our affiliation regardless of how objective one can be on a subject. By taking into account the issue of recreational divers' impact having a direct bearing on UCH, it can be deduced that with training and education, the negative effects may be greatly minimised. Achieving this will be an ongoing process that requires continual monitoring while keeping an open and ongoing dialogue, ensuring no voices remain unheard. Finally, by advocating that UCH is a resource of economic benefit, the scuba diving industry's potential within the Blue Economy is valued. Ultimately, making UCH more accessible will ensure its longevity and survival.Show less
