“The Application of GIS Analysis and Archaeological Conservation Methods for

Submerged Cultural Resources within NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries”

The research question that will be addressed in this planned proposal is how can
geographical information systems (GIS) analysis assist in the discovery, preservation and
conservation of submerged cultural resources; and how can GIS analysis and
conservation methods be applied to real world research to support the Mission of the
NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries?

There are three major contexts that will be applied to support this planned research
proposals aims and objectives. The first context will be the in depth study of nautical
archaeology as a doctoral candidate. The courses that will be completed through a
program of study will emphasis the importance of technical understanding of wooden,
iron and steel ship construction technologies and methods; maritime history and culture;
ideology; methods of in situ preservation and conversation of organic and inorganic
materials and artifacts for future use in research and study; or for interpretive programs
aimed at public understanding; and finally, the various methods use to record and analyze
the remains of maritime activities in our oceans, seas, lakes and rivers (Texas A&M
University [TAMU], 2010).

The second context of this proposal addresses how GIS analysis can promote he National
Marine Sanctuaries Mission to “serve as the trustee for the nation’s system of marine
protected areas, to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity
and cultural legacy” (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA],
2010a). While this is the overall mission of the NMS, each of the thirteen sanctuaries also
have their own uniquely individual mission statement that focuses on each of the
sanctuaries unique natural and cultural.

While the scientific methods and applications of this research will be used to promote the
mission of all the NMS they can also span beyond the boundaries of NOAA’s NMS to all
the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers around the world. This is helpful for collaborative
research work NOAA conducts with other governments and agencies around the globe,
which promotes awareness and understanding of out maritime heritage.

There are several National Marine Sanctuaries that are of particular interest to me for the
actual field research and the application GIS analysis and underwater mapping
technology for the purpose of cultural resource management (CRM). The NMS’s that are
of particular interest to me for this proposed research are also the NMS’s that have a
strong Maritime Heritage Program. The MHP was “created in 2002 and focuses on
maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary system and promotes maritime heritage
appreciation” (NOAA, 2010a). This proposed research plan will directly support the
MHP’s mission.

Through the continued study of nautical archaeology with a focus in GIS analysis and
artifact conservation for cultural resource management of submerged resources, this plan
could be used to identify and spatially reference previously undocumented submerged
cultural resources. The use of GIS analysis and remote sensing can also be used to
monitor the submerged resources already identified to determine the best methodologies
for in situ preservation of these submerged cultural resources. The application of
conservational methods for archaeological materials would also be of great use for
understanding how to handle artifacts that must be removed from their submerged
environment. By determining through scientific methods how long archaeological
remains will survive in situ based on the material these remains are constructed of; or the
biological, physical, ad chemical parameters relevant to their current environment, a
course of action can be implemented or improved for conserving and managing these
submerged cultural resources (Harrison, 2006).

Previously conducted research for my master’s thesis addressed some of these pressing
issues that directly impact NOAA’s mission to protect and conserve cultural and
archaeological resources: such as the effects of temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved
oxygen content; water movement and purity; bottom-type analysis; corrosion products
and marine concretions. This research plan would elaborate on these issues and evaluate
the impact of each on submerged cultural resources within NOAA’s National Marine
Sanctuaries and Monument (McCarthy, 2000).

While it is possible for all of the National Marine Sanctuaries to benefit from the
proposed research theories for the application of GIS analysis, remote sensing, and
archaeological conservation practices, I have enumerated below, seven of the thirteen
NMS’s and the one National Marine Monument that I would like to most likely conduct
my field survey work and research in.

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) encompasses over 1,252
square nautical miles and contains two known historical shipwrecks within the NMS
boundaries (NOAA, 2010b). The CINMS mission is to protect and preserve the
“submerged remains of the past that occupy the bottomland of the sanctuary.” The main
method for finding these submerged sites and remains is through the use of remote
sensing and GIS spatial analysis. By developing a strong skill set in the methodologies
and applications of various remote sensing technologies and geographic system analysis,
it could be possible to identify additional submerged cultural resources within the
National Marine Sanctuaries. This would promote the protection and preservation of
these submerged resources. It would also enhance the NMS philosophy to promote
maritime heritage appreciation.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) currently protects over 200
shipwrecks in Lake Huron and currently has a list of at least 65 other possible shipwrecks
within the sanctuary that have not been located (NOAA, 2009). GIS analysis and remote
sensing along with other technologies such as ROV’s or AUV’s would most likely be the
methods of discovery of these shipwrecks (Wiseman & El-Baz, Eds., 2007) This
proposed research plan would focus on using GIS and remote sensing along with
numerous other analytical research methodologies and technologies to locate these
shipwrecks. The two Dr. Nancy Foster funded NOAA research collaborations could be
used for this purpose.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS contains at least 146 known losses of
ships dating back to 1824 (NOAA, 2000). The application GIS analysis and spatial data
referencing of these submerged cultural resources would be beneficial for the long term
implementation of a Submerged Cultural Resource Management Plan and also take into
consideration the Natural Resource Management Plan and create a symbiotic Resource
Management Plan that truly addresses the National Marine Sanctuaries Mission (Ormsby,
Napoleon, Burke, Groessl & Feaster, 2004).

Florida Keys, Monterey Bay, and The Stellwagen Bank NMS all have localized missions
for their area and resources and the research presenting in this proposal could continue to
assist in the Maritime Heritage Programs focus(NOAA, 2010c). One of the potentially
greatest areas for the application of this planned research is The Papahānaumokuākea
Marine National Monument, which was recently created by Presidential proclamation on
June 15, 2006. With over 139,797 square miles (105,564 square nautical miles) of Pacific
Ocean, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is ideal for the application of
remote sensing and GIS spatial data analysis for the implementation of a maritime
heritage program and the protection of submerged cultural resources (NOAA, 2010d).

The final context of this planned research has already been discussed throughout the
proposal: the application of artifact conservation. In addition to earning a certificate in
GIS (which I have nearly completed at San Diego Mesa College) I will also pursue a
certificate in conservation methods. This skill set can be applied for in situ preservation
or the laboratory research and analysis. Nautical archaeology is a discipline that requires
numerous skill sets for real world application and understanding (Broadwater, Kikiloi,
Lawrence, Lusardi, Marx, Oliveria, Taomia, Terrell, & Tilburg, 2007). By conducting
research that applies discovery techniques through the application of GIS analysis and the
methods of artifact conservation, this planned research encompasses the full spectrum of
a real world project and is quite appropriate for a doctoral research proposal. The long-
term benefit both to my growth as a nautical archaeologist, and to the mission of
NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries is an opportunity I look forward to.

It is my mission to apply the knowledge and skill sets obtained through this research to
support NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries mission, and specifically to address the
mission of the Maritime Heritage Program, which is of grave importance for preserving
the history, cultural and archaeological resources of our maritime heritage.
 References

Broadwater, J., Kikiloi, K., Lawrence, M., Lusardi, W., Marx, D., Oliveria, J., Taomia, J.,
Terrell, B. G., & Tilburg, H.V. (2007). Fathoming our past: Historical contexts of
the National Marine Sanctuaries, B.G. Terrell (Ed.). Silver Spring, MD: NOAA
National Marine Sanctuary Program.

Harrison, J. (2006). The S.S. Carnatic: A historical and archaeological analysis of

potential underwater cultural heritage of a 19th century steam powered screw
propelled ship. (Master’s dissertation, University of Bristol, 2006).

McCarthy, M. (2000). Iron and steamship archaeology, success and failure on the SS
Xantho. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic Plenum.

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2010a January 11). National
Marine Sanctuaries. Retrieved from: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/welcome.html
National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2010b February 16).
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved from:
http://channelislands.noaa.gov /welcome.html

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2010c February 1). Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved from: http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2010d January 22).

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Retrieved from:
http://papahanaumokuakea.gov/

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2000 January 1). Hawaiian
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved from:

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA] (2000 January 1). Hawaiian
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved from:
http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/

Ormsby, T., Napoleon, E., Burke, R., Groessl, C., & Feaster, L. (2004). Getting to know
ArcGIS desktop. Redlands, CA; ESRI Press.

Texas A&M University [TAMU], Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation
[CMAC] (2010, January 13). Artifact conservation and underwater mapping
technology. Retrieved from http://nautarch.tamu.edu/cmac/

Wiseman, J., & El-Baz, F. (Eds.). (2007). Remote sensing in archaeology. Boston, MA:
Springer.