The role of benthic communities and environmental agents in the formation of underwater archaeological sites.

BASTIDA, R., M. GROSSO AND D. ELKIN

Underwater and Maritime Archaeology in Latin America and the Caribbean

Left Coast Press

Lugar: Walnut Creek, California; Año: 2008; p. 173 - 185

The basic ecological concepts, which arose in the middle XXth century, and the recent practical and theoretical knowledge of the processes of ecological succession indicate us how complex the evolution of any submerged archaeological site can be. Such evolution results from the interaction of a number  of physical, chemical and biological agents, which consequently define the type and speed of the transformation processes that will take place. The environmental impact on underwater sites may also vary according to geographical latitude, depth and type of bottom. The study of these processes is fundamental for understanding the different stages of site formation, as well as for an appropiate archaeological interpretation of those sites and for orienting conservation strategies. In relation to that, the experience obtained from experimental ecology of benthic communities becomes a very useful research tool. Along that line, some preliminary studies on biodeterioration have begun within the HMS Swift interdisciplinary project, focused on the study of a British warship which sank in 1770 in Puerto Deseado, Argentina. Those studies, based on the use of experimental panels, allow to monitor the effect of biofouling and wood boring organisms. In turn, it is possible to determine the main biological and ecological parameters of the botanical and faunal species present in the site. The results of these studies, together with the information of physical and chemical processes of the water and bottom sediments, constitute the basis for developing predictive models which allow a better understanding of the processes which have taken place in the evolution of underwater archaeological sites in the South Atlantic.