ARCH8158 Ships: Research, Recording and Reconstruction

SCUBA diving qualifications are not necessary for participation.

Practicum placements are dependent on the availability of a suitable provider. Students may not be able to enrol in this topic if a suitable provider cannot be found.

The topic will provide students with the theoretical and practical training necessary for researching ships and ship construction. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of the basics of recording, representing and interpreting ship construction. Students should expect to learn nautical terminology, the basic components of a ship and activities on board, principles of ship construction and rigging, procedures for taking and drafting ship lines and construction plans, hull analysis, procedures for graphic representation of hulls and principles of reconstructing ships. This topic is challenging, demanding and hands-on; students are expected to participate fully in problem-solving exercises.

This topic aims to:

• Provide students with the theoretical and practical training necessary for understanding ship research and construction
• Introduce students to the basics of recording, representing and interpreting ship construction and provide practical, hands-on training necessary for an advance understanding of ship research
• Present students with opportunities to apply their practical and interpretive skills during problem-solving exercises

1. Discuss the process of ship construction and explain its importance in the field of maritime archaeology
2. Acquire the practical skills for recording shipwrecks from basic drawings of artefacts and timbers to full-scale ship lines, construction plans and reconstruction models
3. Apply technical and interpretive skills acquired during the topic to future research projects