Archeology? Think about the adventures of Indiana Jones. How many of you recognize the name Jaques Cousteau?? In case you don’t, Jaques was a diver and environmentalist that dove all over the world and brought us some of the worlds first underwater video. So imagine if Jaques and Indiana had a brother? Good chance he might be an underwater archeologist.
People often ask me are there many wrecks in Lake Erie? That’s a big you betcha! Followed by; Can you see anything down there? I’ll be honest, some days the visibility is better than others. So anyway onto the topic at hand. I belong to the Maritime Archeology Survey Team (MAST). MAST members conduct surveys of the wrecks of Lake Erie. This means taking measurements of wreck features, their location and inventorying the items on the wreck. Remember Jaques and Indy? That’s a MAST Member.
MAST routinely holds classes to teach divers the basics of underwater archeology. Got any guesses as to what might be coming up? That’s right, the Nautical Archaeology Workshop. Here you can learn the basics of ship design and construction, the legal aspect of artifacts, measuring and documenting findings.
The training involves listening to speakers on all aspects of ship wreck archeology, land based measurements and an in-water practice session this summer. Students must be at least 16 years of age.
By this time your thinking more, more, more info. No problem. You can check the LINK to the MAST web site for class information and registration materials. Want more first hand information about wreck diving and underwater marine archeology – invite me out for coffee. Just joking, sort of, send me an email with questions. Maybe I’ll see you at the class.
