A prelude of the mixed construction: shipbuilding analysis of a mid-19th century merchant ship found in Chinchorro Bank, Mexico

ZUCCOLOTTO, ANDRÉS; CARRILLO, LAURA; CIARLO, NICOLÁS C.; GUZMÁN, JOSUÉ

Boston

Congreso; SHA 2020 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology; 2020

Society for Historical Archaeology

The shallow waters of the Chinchorro Bank Biosphere Reserve, off Yucatan Peninsula eastern shore (Caribbean Sea), host an everlasting testimonial of centuries of seafaring. Thus far, the Vice-directorate of Underwater Archaeology of the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History has recorded 69 shipwreck and other archaeological remains associated with nautical history, dated between 16th and 21st centuries. Among them, the El Ángel site has been subject of several studies. Based on previous nondisturbing recording activities, test surveys and partial excavations in bow and midship sectors, it was identified as a wooden sailing ship with a cargo of logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum). It was built most likely in the first half of 19th century, copper sheathed, and reinforced using different iron structural pieces in the inner part of the hull. In this paper, the ongoing research on the architectural characteristics of the shipwreck remains is presented.