Field School in the Dominican Republic

Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson III

This field school is an integral part of an on-going archaeological effort being made by North Caribbean Research S.A. to inventory and excavate historic shipwreck sites along the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The results of this archaeological project will help to establish site-specific criteria to develop a coherent management plan for the hundreds of historic shipwrecks between Monte Cristi and Puerto Plata. All archaeological work is being carried out under a government permit.

All diving participants will have an opportunity to gain practical "Hands-On" experience involving: * Underwater Mapping * Photomosaic Techniques * Artifact In-Situ Recording * Hull Structure Interpretation * Ballast Rock Analysis * Artifact Registration * Ceramic Analysis * Excavation Techniques * Reverse Electrolysis * Small Finds Photography * Numismatic Studies * Magnetometer Surveys * Metal Detecting * Archival Research

Non- divers will provide surface support and assist in artifact recording and conservation. They will also conduct a phase I shoreline survey of Taino prehistoric sites under the direction of Professor Herminio Rodriquez-Morales M.A. from the Center for Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean History and Dr. Bob Baer of Nova Southeastern University. All underwater work will be conducted in close cooperation with the host government under the supervision of Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson III from the National Center for Shipwreck Research and Professor Mensun Bound from Oxford University MARE.

The Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is part of the Greater Antilles group lying 800 miles southeast of Florida. The island, which is the second largest in the Caribbean, has been occupied during its history by both the Spanish and French. Its superb coastlines of white sand beaches interspersed with rocky shores, surround an interior from which the highest mountain in the Caribbean looms over fertile lowland plains, rain forests, mangrove swamps and areas of semi-deserts . During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dominican Republic was known as Hispaniola and was home to many notorious buccaneers.

Project Headquarters The operation will be based at North Caribbean Research's (NCR) headquarters (Las Carabelas) in Monte Cristi on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Monte Cristi is a small fishing town that, in the 16th century, had a special importance as one of the last ports of call for ships returning to the Old World. NCR is situated away from the town, to the northeast under the mountain of El Morro, which was named by Christopher Columbus when in January 1493, he anchored the Nina in Monte Cristi Bay after the loss of the Santa Maria.

There are empty beaches within a few miles walk of Las Carabelas as well as deserted nearby islands some of which will be surveyed. There are no high rises and few tourists, but there are hundreds of undiscovered shipwrecks. Please check the following web sites for a further description of the research project: www.oldship.org and http://members.aol.com/ncsr1988.

Select Bibliography

1978 Andrews, Kenneth, R. The Spanish Caribbean: Trade and Plunder 1530-1630. Yale University Press New Haven

1998 Bound, Mensun (ed) Excavating Ships of War International Maritime Archaeology Series Vol. 1,2,3 Anthony Nelson London

1991 Dyson, John Columbus: For Gold, God, and Glory Simon & Schuster New York

1988 Bass, George F. (ed) Ships and Shipwrecks of the Americas: A History Based on Underwater Archaeology Thames & Hudson London 1991 Ewen, Charles R From Spaniard to Creole: The Archaeology of Cultural Formation at Puerto Real, Haiti. University of Alabama Press Tuscaloosa

1980 Hoffman, Paul, E. The Spanish Crown and the Defense of the Caribbean 1535-1585. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge 1987 Mathewson, R. Duncan III (Editor) Seafarers Journal of Maritime Heritage Vol. 1 Seafarers Heritage Library Ltd. Key West, Fl & Woodstock , VT

1987 Throckmorton, Peter (ed) The Sea Remembers: Shipwrecks and Archaeology Weidenfield & Nicolson New York 1991 Viola, Herman, J. And Carolyn Margolis Seeds of Change: 500 Years Since Columbus Smithsonian Institution Press Washington, D.C.

Archaeological Inventory Survey and Excavations on Lost 16th -18th Century Spanish, French & English Warships and Merchant Vessels along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.

Location:

The Dominican Republic at Monte Cristi on the North Coast.

Site:

Survey and archaeological excavations of Spanish, French & English shipwrecks between Monte Cristi and Puerto Plata.

Period:

16th - 18th Century AD

Field School Dates:

20 May - 2 September 2000. All arrivals and departures will be on American Airlines (Saturday Flights) from Miami to Puerto Plata.

Application Deadline:

All registration must be completed by 15 April 2000. A deposit of $300 is required to reserve space.

Financial Aid: Some financial assistance may be available

ATTENTION DIVE CLUBS 10% discount and 1 free tuition for groups of 10 divers or more .

Academic Credit:

3 or 6 credits can be arranged with Nova Southeastern University. Tuition costs for college credit will be additional.

Co-Director: Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson III Ph.D.
Sponsor: Northern Caribbean Research S.A.
Contact: National Center for Shipwreck Research Ltd.
P.O. Box 2574 Key Largo, FL 33037
Tel: (305) 453-3833
Fax: (305) 451-2855
E-Mail: REDDOG1690@AOL.COM

College credit:

Arrangements can be made for 3 or 6 college credits through Nova Southeastern University. Contact: Dr. Bob Baer - (954) 262-5108 or E-Mail: baerr@nova.edu for cost and syllabus.

Field School Cost Includes:

Food and lodging in comfortable modern project facilities (double occupancy); all diving and boating costs; tanks, air & weights; personalized instruction and supervision; teaching packet, research & survey materials, all necessary mapping equipment; and Archaeological Diver certifications.

Certifications:

"Proton Magnetometer Dive" and Underwater Survey Diver" certification approved by P.A.D.I. and B.S.A.C. as speciality courses will be available as part of the field school as well as "Basic Open Water" and other speciality courses.

Not Included:

Air transportation to Puerto Plata (north coast); airport tourist card ($15.00); departure tax ($10.00); personal and entertainment expenses.

Dive Gear:

No rental gear will be available. All divers must bring their own diving equipment. Weights and tanks will be provided.

Air Flights:

All participants must arrange their own ticket to and from Puerto Plata on American Airlines. It is essential that all participants confirm with NCR of the appointed Saturday arrival time so van pick-up can be arranged at the airport.

Travel Documents:

Passports are required; No immunizations are required but participants are encouraged to consult with their own doctor.

Insurance:

It is required that all participants take out their own travel, medical and diving insurance.

Non-Profit Status:

The field school is operated as a non-profit educational program. All artifacts are the property of the Dominican Republic Government. Participates can use field school costs as tax write-offs to the full extent of the law.

For more information about the field school call (800) 653-7447. Contact Dr. Bob Baer at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at (954) 262-5108 for more details about the academic program.