Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology
Centre Projects
Research Objectives and Activities
Due to the substantial size of these sites (in the Canopic region 110 square km's have been surveyed), the primary research objective of the IEASM's co-operation with Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquity (SCA), for both excavations, has been the establishment of site topography followed by archaeological excavation.
The survey and geophysical approach integrates specially developed nuclear resonance magnetometry techniques (developed by the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique) with side scan sonar and bathymetric analysis. A comprehensive geological analysis of the mission's surveyed region has been undertaken by the IEASM with the involvement of the Smithsonian Institute. The geophysical as well as the geological analysis revealed very early branches of the Nile relative to the Canopic region sites, and indicated methods for interpreting the role of dramatic geological and other environmental activities in the specific site formation processes.
In dealing with a minimal visibility environment, differential G.P.S. positioning systems have been developed, which from this year will be supported by diver operated underwater computers. These computers, which have been developed by the team to deal with the specific problems posed by these sites, will provide the divers with their real time position on a site map as well as an input terminal to precisely record positioning and other types of archaeological data.
The variable silting over the site (some structures lie up to 2 metres under silt) requires the topographical study to be supported by limited and clearly defined trial excavations. The excavation of 30 to 60 cm of silt is generally sufficient to determine the broad topographical nature of the specific site. These excavations are supported by detailed grid mapping, the underwater drawing and photographing of the grid, finds sampling and both on board and long term shore based conservation.