Deep Water Archaeology Research Group (Deep Arch)

David Mindell continued his research on technology, archaeology, and the deep sea with a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

DeepArch seeks to be a nucleus of research, on the cutting-edge of investigation into methodology and technology for deep water archaeology. One of the current foci in underwater archaeological investigation is in-situ survey. We are in the process of developing a high-frequency sub-bottom profiler to image buried shipwrecks and other submerged sites without disturbing them. This sensor will be a useful tool in initial site investigation, as well as continued monitoring throughout excavations or preservation. Another area of focus is the need for precise measurements while surveying. The nature of archaeological survey requires extreme precision, because interpretation of sites depends on the spatial relationships of artefacts and the surrounding environment. A new acoustic measuring system is being developed to track underwater vehicles, as well as to be used by divers to measure artifacts and their spatial relationships with each other.

Archaeology in the deep sea poses some of the most interesting and difficult challenges in underwater robotics today.