A Message In A Bottle...

Who hasn't dreamt about finding a message in a bottle! It is an exciting way of getting to know a completely random stranger who you probably would never have met otherwise. It would be even more exciting if that stranger happens to be from a completely different century!

The bottle and the postcard from 1913, Source

Earlier in March this year, a fisherman pulled up an old brown glass bottle from the Baltic Sea. As it happens that bottle was carrying a message from 1913, written by one called Richard Platz from Germany. Researchers managed to track down his granddaughter who actually had never met her grandfather as he died in 1946, at an age of 54 years. It is a very touching story that the granddaughter got to know her grandfather from when he was in his early twenties, and in a completely unique way too.

Unfortunately the time underwater has caused the writing to fade on the postcard, and not much can be deciphered. With over a hundred years in the sea, this message in a bottle has been classified to be the oldest of its kind in the world. It is amazing to think that the act of a bored 21-year -old will now end up in the newest edition of Guinness World Records book.

Archaeological Sites Destroyed in Finland

As continuation onto yesterday's post about the battle between maritime archaeologists and treasure hunters, I wanted to make people aware that destruction to archaeological sites does not just happen underwater.

Finland. Source

An article published by Yle News (the Finnish version of BBC) states that some well-known archaeological sites in Finland have been subjected to vandalism. One person or several people have been digging holes around the sites without permission. These holes does not seem to be the work of professional archaeologists.

The unfortunate side of archaeology is that it is destructive. Once something has been dug then there is no way of putting it back as it was, consequently important knowledge is lost and the archaeological record is flawed. People should be aware that it is illegal to dig on known archaeological sites (both terrestrial and maritime) without permission.

Hakoinen Castle in Janakkala, Finland, was one of the sites subjected to vandalism. Source

If anyone would be interested in becoming an archaeologist, there are a range of different courses available all over the world. Many universities offer archaeology as a degree subject, but you can also find smaller organisations organising courses in archaeology in your local area and probably for a cheaper price.

L

Maritime Archaeologists vs Treasure Hunters

Now this is a subject that makes the blood run hot in the veins of archaeologists. First of all, let us establish the difference.

As an archaeologist I am interested in uncovering forgotten stories from the past. Although it may not necessarily be of monetary value, knowledge is the most valuable thing we can get from any archaeological site. Valuable artefacts are of secondary nature, although it is undeniably nice to find a piece of jewellery once in a while, but REPEATING; this is not the main purpose of archaeology.

Disaster flood strikes! Graphic image from the movie '2012'. Source

Most people have probably watched the movie '2012' about a disaster flood striking the Earth and threatens to wipe out all life on the planet. Well at the end of the movie [SPOILER ALERT], the first thing the survivors do after establishing their own safety is to start searching for what is left. A lot of people have died and with them the knowledge of many things was lost - to recover this knowledge is now the aim of the survivors. So what is not this if not archaeology! True, it is from a very different perspective compared to what we are normally used to, but nonetheless it is archaeology.

Now in perspective, a treasure hunter is only interested in recovering artefacts of monetary value. That person does not care about what we can learn from the site and sees that as the secondary purpose of the project. Unfortunately a lot of history and knowledge is lost because of this, and all those underwater graves are disturbed and treated with no respect.

Maybe not quite how it works... Source

The United Nations estimates that about 3 million shipwrecks lay scattered across the world's oceans (Source). Although this is a huge number, it is not very likely that you will come across a treasure shipwreck during your lifetime. So despite what has been said, treasure hunting does not bring in the millions into your bank account. In fact, it is likely to just do the opposite. Two divers have pleaded guilty of looting artefacts from shipwrecks, with the total value being £250 000. They now face to be heavily fined and receive a prison sentence of up to 8 years. Their case will appear in court again on the 2nd July.

Now here is a question; why does illegal looting of shipwrecks keep occurring on a regular basis? Is it because people tend to ignore the laws or that they are ignorant of them? Best way of counteracting this is through education! The domestic and international maritime laws need to be made available and visible to everyone. They should also be included in the schools' curriculum, as the earlier people are made aware the better. Although I have studied archaeology for four years now, it was not until this year (2014) that I properly learnt about the laws concerning maritime archaeological sites! If I am not made aware of this before now, then certainly we can't expect the public to be aware of it either.

The UNESCO 2001 Convention protects the World's underwater heritage. Source

So what should you do if you happen to come across a shipwreck. If the wreck lies in UK territorial waters (the law states differently depending on which country the wreck is located in) then you have 28 days to report it to the Receiver of Wreck. Failure to do so will be seen as an offence and you can face a fine for breaking the law. You are also not allowed to touch it until the site has been properly investigated - so no illegal looting! After reporting the site it doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to be part of the project any more. Professional Maritime Archaeologists welcome volunteers as this will speed up the project and also spread the knowledge of how to excavate and treat underwater sites - so make sure you keep an eye on what they are planning! You can of course claim the credit for discovering the site as well.

I could go on ranting about this subject, but I shall save it for a later post. It is a shame that there is some disagreement between maritime archaeologists and treasure hunters, as a mutual partnership could turn out to be very valuable indeed.

L

How do you become an archaeologist?

So I was thinking the other day about the different questions people ask me when I tell them I study Maritime Archaeology. The most common one seems to be; "what made you choose it and how did you get to where you are today?".

I am the happiest standing knee-high in mud! Source 

When I was 13 my teacher asked the class to write down what we want to become when we grow up. She collected all the notes and kept them in a drawer for three years and during the week before we graduated from the school she handed them back out to everyone. To my surprise I found that I had written 'archaeologist'. I had absolutely no memory of this but the thought stuck with me. 

In Sixth Form I decided to take all history classes and other relevant subjects so when the day comes for me to apply for my undergraduate degree in archaeology, I would have the highest chance possible. The day came and I got accepted on to an archaeology programme at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, so I packed my bags and moved from Finland to the United Kingdom and I haven't looked back since. 

During my undergraduate degree I became interested in maritime archaeology and decided I should do a masters in that subject. In order to prepare myself for the MA I chose most of the case studies for my assignments from a maritime environment and I also decided to do some work experience at the Mary Rose museum during my second year. This definitely paid off as I got a lot of contacts in the business (which actually in the end got me the job I have today) and it was another good aspect I could put on my masters application.

So I applied and was accepted on to the masters programme in Maritime Archaeology at the University of Southampton. Part of my current research for the program is actually based on ideas I originally thought of when I was 14, but wasn't skilled enough at the time to test them out. So if you happen to come across something interesting then keep it in mind as it may come a day when you actually base you research on it - it is never too early to start!

Just a normal day at the office... Source

Yesterday I finally got a good break as the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth hired me! I am very excited as I have finally reached the goal I dreamt about when I first caught an interest in archaeology.

My younger brother once told me that I am the only person he knows who actually follow my dreams and do what I want to do. I realised at that point that far too many people take the easy way out. Where I stand today is the result of 10 years of hard work, during which I have been able to keep my passion and interest for the subject. I now feel I can give others the advice to follow your dreams! It may be hard work and few short cuts, but the feeling you get from achieving you goal is amazing. I still have a long way to go, during which I most likely will have ups and downs, but even if it means I have to work with something else in order to work up my experience in archaeology then that is what I am prepared to do. Don't take the easy way ladies and gents! The hard work was so worth it!

L