CONCLUSION

     In conclusion, the ongoing efforts of Mel Fisher Center, Inc. and the historic shipwreck salvors under contract to them have continued to use diligence in the collection of archaeological information. The scattered remains of the 1715 Fleet have always posed a challenge in both their recovery and their archaeological interpretation.

     The computer mapping and inventory technology are greatly facilitating our endeavors to extract the maximum amount of information from each artifact. Using the Galleon Matrix and the horizontal stratigraphy theories postulated by Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson, III, it has helped enormously in the assignation of activity areas along the scatter trails of these vessels. The new mapping programs are allowing the reconstruction of dispersal patterns of artifacts from these ships. Using the computer programs designed by the Mel Fisher Center, Inc. we have been able to relate certain artifacts with one another and to hypothesize on-board activity areas. This in turn will allow us much more certitude in speaking about cultural activities relating to these areas. Mr. Bill Moore has covered this very topic earlier in this report.



     Illustrated in the aerial photo of Corrigans wreck site (figure 51) is a twelve-hundred foot section of shoreline showing the plots where these artifacts and other possibly associated artifacts were recovered. Using Auto Cad's ability to turn off layers, we made the following layers invisible (of which there was very little anyway): Empty holes, Iron, Lead, Intrusions, and Cuprous material. During the 2001 season, seven objects recovered by the M/V Gold Duster were recovered in a grouping (see previous article). In1993 in this same area the MV Dauntless, captained by Kane Fisher, recovered a silver candlestick base #27726, and a silver religious medallion #118 was recovered by Captain John Brandon in 1984, again from this same area. Also nearby, pieces of Kang Hsi porcelain including cups, pitchers and shards were located, once again attesting to the fact that we have the objects of wealthy passengers. It seems quite obvious that these items would all be related to the stern castle section of this ship. The associated scattering of other stern castle material can be seen in the sand trough extending to the NNW and SSE. Approximately 1,200' to the NNW is where the ornate gold cup (found in 1985) and bezoar stone in ornate gold casing (found in 1993) were also located. We intend to expand on these mapping techniques in next year's report.

     This is a very exciting time to be an archaeologist on these shipwrecks. The enhanced interpretive abilities the computer has given us is quite simply remarkable. We are certain that in the future these abilities will only become more complete. We now have the beginnings of a virtual archive of the materials recovered from these sites. This archive and the types of cultural activities that we can now begin to infer will become a wonderful tool for future generations of researchers.

     The Mel Fisher Center and its contractors continue to rescue the scattered remains of these historically important ships. The methods we use and the paths we follow were blazed for us by a generation of dreamers and pioneers and for this we thank them. We go forward armed with new knowledge and technologies to continue their work and to contribute our share to the heritage of Florida, mankind and world.