Because structural remains and major artifact clusters have more important association than scattered material, greater care is required in recording provenience. Structural remains will be photographed when possible, and mapped at 1:50 scale on base maps supplied or approved by the Division to show position of wooden structural members, spikes, and other artifacts as well as details of construction if visible. Maps will be tied to the UTM coordinate system by taking sextant angles to beach datums from buoys marking mapping reference points on the bottom. Structural remains will not be moved or undermined unless mapping results have been approved by the Division and Cobb and unless transfer, storage, and conservation facilities approved by the Division and Cobb are available.

Because structural remains and major artifact clusters have more important association than scattered material, greater care is required in recording provenience. Structural remains will be photographed when possible, and mapped at 1:50 scale on base maps supplied or approved by the Division to show position of wooden structural members, spikes, and other artifacts as well as details of construction if visible. Maps will be tied to the UTM coordinate system by taking sextant angles to beach datums from buoys marking mapping reference points on the bottom. Structural remains will not be moved or undermined unless mapping results have been approved by the Division and Cobb and unless transfer, storage, and conservation facilities approved by the Division and Cobb are available.

6. Artifact Tagging

All recovered artifacts will be tagged individually or as a group when from a single provenience. Anchors and cannon recorded and left on the bottom will also be tagged. Tags will be plastic with permanent imprinted numbers and affixed to artifacts or bags of grouped artifacts by copper or stainless steel wire or nylon cord.

 

 

 

For small or delicate artifacts the tag may be placed in the same sealed protective container as the artifact. Large objects will be individually tagged. Small objects will be individually tagged if they are unique or have special value. Common objects such as pottery shards, spikes, barrel hoop fragments, musket balls or lead sheathing can be bagged as a group and assigned a single tag number when from the same provenience. Bags will be of sufficient strength that they will not tear or break in handling or rot in storage before processing; cloth is recommended.

7. Artifact Handling

Artifacts may be divided into four categories; large objects, such-as anchors, cannon, and hull structure; miscellaneous encrusted objects (E.O.s); miscellaneous small identified non-precious artifacts; and identified unique or precious artifacts. After tagging and recording, artifacts in each category will be treated as follows:

    1. Large Objects: These will be left in place on site until removal is approved by the Division and Cobb and wet storage facilities are available. Once removed, they should be handled so as to minimize damage and should be kept moist. They must not be allowed to remain out of water more than three days.

    2. Miscellaneous Encrusted Objects: These fall into two categories: I) general identifiable non-fragile E.O.s; and, ii) interesting or fragile E.O.s. The former category will generally include barrel hoops, spikes or general ship's hardware. The latter category includes swords, knives, small tools and implements. All E.O.s should be kept moist and E.O.s in the latter category must be kept moist, while on board and in transit to the storage and processing laboratory. Ballast stones and coquina rock may be separated from E.O.'s if their removal will facilitate handling and not break the E.O. E.O.s will not be broken open on board; instead they will be processed on shore at the storage and laboratory facility.

    3. Common Miscellaneous Small Identified Non-Precious Artifacts: These include such items as pottery shards, spikes, barrel hoop fragments, musket balls, and lead sheathing. These may be bagged as a group from each blow hole or excavation unit. If Iron is included, the bags or objects will be kept moist.

D. Identified Unique or Precious Artifacts: These will be assigned individual tags, unless they are clusters of coins, and placed in individual small plastic bags or protective jars to prevent damage. Unique and precious objects will be photographed at the processing facility and precious objects will be deposited with the bank on the day or evening of their recovery.

8. Artifact Processing and Stabilization

All artifacts recovered from sites are to be conveyed to the artifact processing and stabilization facility. This facility shall have storage and processing capability approved by the Division and Cobb and will provide sufficient security to ensure the protection of the artifacts which it receives. In addition to the routine processing of E.O. s and other artifacts needing stabilization and/or conservation, all precious artifacts - gold, silver and jewels - and unique artifacts will be photographed and the tag number and provenience data recorded on the photo back prior to being conveyed to the bank for safekeeping. At least two copies of these photographs will be prepared: one for the Division and one for Cobb. Final records and inventories of identified artifacts from each site and excavation unit will be prepared for each vessel's activities, and artifact overlay maps compiled at this facility so that results may be available to guide further salvage activities. Copies of all field records will be maintained at this facility during the salvage season and log sheet copies along with artifact photographs submitted to Cobb and the Division every two weeks.

9. Artifact Conservation

All fragile and unique artifacts of special interest will be sent to the Treasure Salvors, Inc., Conservation Laboratory in Key West. for cleaning, stabilization and conservation/restoration. Interesting encrusted objects should also be sent to Key West to be X-rayed as soon as possible after recovery. Treasure Salvors, Inc., Conservation Laboratory staff and the Division Conservation Laboratory staff will cooperate closely in these activities.

10. Diver Safety

Spinning shafts, high vacuum suction intakes and propellers will be caged while divers are in the

water. Dive flags will be displayed and standard dive safety precautions will be followed.

11. Project Supervision

In order to ensure that the quality of information recorded is adequate and that the information is consolidated and interpreted in a professional manner, Cobb will provide a professional archaeologist and sufficient trained assistants to supervise the number of vessels used in exploration and salvage activities.

12. Reporting Requirements

A report on each site salvaged will be prepared by Cobb before the beginning of the next dive season. The division may assist in these activities. Copies of each report, journal article or manuscript resulting from data derived from salvage and/or exploration activities will be provided to the Division by Cobb.

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DEP/ARMY CORP. PERMITS

On March 3, 1995, a five year permit was issued by the Department of Environmental Protection to perform treasure salvage (artifact recovery) including excavation performed with mailboxes, dredges, prop wash deflectors, etc. within 12 specific sites located in the Atlantic Ocean. Included in this chapter is a copy of that permit. The expiration date of this permit was extended to March 3, 2002. A copy of the letter modifying the expiration date is also included in this chapter. A permit was also issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the same activities and is also included in this chapter.

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