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Arqueolgy Project
| Traditional methods of the Archeology supported by techniques and procedures of other scientific disciplines are used in field work such as in the field of laboratory investigation | ||
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The project contemplates the concept of Emergency or Rescue Archeology, based on historic information and field observation. The objects that the vessel carried are to a great extent susceptible to deterioration and/or destruction in the marine environment: iron objects, fabrics, piles of hides, papers and even its most precious cargo, the fragile glassware of the King, suffer significant deterioration due to exposure to the high dynamic of the waves. Abrasion as much as the chemical agents characteristic of the marine environment also cause similar deterioration.
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The searching methodology will shows the points where the excavation start, then the second stage of controlled and systematic excavation start, by means of natural stratigraphy and accumulative sections.
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Once conservation has been achieved, the study and classification of the artifacts follows, through techno-typological, aesthetic and documental analysis. This allows for the compilation of technical records and conclusions required to reconstruct the ethnic history of the shipwreck. |
Ovidio J. Ortega P. The Archeologist in charge:
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Graduated in the History of Art in 1982, from the University of Havana and post graduated from the Center of Archeology and Ethnology in the Academy of Sciences of Cuba, where he specialized in Archeology in 1991. He carried out studies in history, archeology and anthropology at the "Centro de Estudios de historia y Organizacion de la Ciencia", at the "Entidad Carisub S.A" and the "Instituto de Antropologia del ministerio de la Ciencia, Tecnologias y Medio Ambiente". From 1985, he has carried out investigations of institutions of Colonial Science and the History of Technology, in particular those relating to the study of Naval History and sub aquatic archeological history. To achieve this he carried out research in diverse Archive Libraries and Spanish institutions. In the field of conceptual theory of archeology, he has studied the superstructure of the aboriginal communities of the Indies, art and ideology, religious anthropology, archeology of architectural history in a sub aquatic context. He directed the Provincial Archeological Census of Havana City and he took the position of Scientific Vice Director in the Institute of Anthropology between 1996 and 1999. He has headed projects, participated in numerous field research projects, instructed in both pre and postgraduate courses and has published his work in Mexico, Spain, Russia, Italy and Cuba. His book "El Real Arsenal de la Havana" (Edited by Letras Cubanas, Madrid 1998) won the prize of Best Science and Technology book published that year. At present he is the Head of Department of Archeology and History in the Cuban Carisub S.A. dedicated to sub aquatic and coastal archeology. In the Year 2001, he was approached by the team of Oriflama S.A. regarding the archeological rescue of the Shipwreck. From then on, he provided advice and guidance for the team. In the second semester of 2002 he dedicated himself to the study of historical documentation and elaborated the archeological aspects of the project. In December 2002 he visited the area of the shipwreck undertaking field work between the rivers Mataquito and Huenchullami, in order to verify testimonies found in the historical documentation and to check coastal characteristics. He also carried out interviews and talked to local people so as to obtain shipwreck related artifacts found in the area.
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