Arqueology

Traditional methods of Archaeology supported by techniques and procedures of other scientific disciplines are used in field work, such as the field of laboratory investigation.
The project contemplates the concept of Emergency or Rescue Archeology, based on historic information and field observation.

The objects that this vessel carries, are greatly susceptible to deterioration and/or destruction in the marine environment. Iron objects, fabrics, piles of hide, paper and even its most precious cargo, the fragile glassware of the King, suffer significant deterioration due to exposure of high dynamic waves. Abrasions such as chemical agents are characteristics of the deterioration from the marine environment.
The searching methodology will show the points where the excavation start, then the second stage where controlled and systematic excavation starts, by means of natural stratigraphy and accumulative sections.

The intention is to excavate in the nucleus of the wreck site and the zone of major concentration by means of a "COFFERDAM", used with success in several wreck sites. This monopoly system will allow us to work on the shipwreck, with dry conditions, and geo reference the position of the objects inside the area.

All the excavated artifacts will be sent to an onsite preservation laboratory for immediate treatment. This process includes desalinization, mechanical and chemical cleaning and stabilization such as in primary restoration.

Once conservation has been achieved, the study and classification of the artifacts follows through techno-typological, aesthetic and documental analysis. This will allows us to compile technical records and conclusions which are required to reconstruct the ethnic history of the shipwreck.

Ovidio J. Ortega P. The Archeologist in charge:

A graduate in the History of Arts in 1982, from the University of Havana, and post-graduate in 1991 from the Center of Archaeology and Ethnology in the Academy of Sciences, Cuba. He carried out studies in history, archaeology and anthropology at the “Centro de Estudios de Historia y Organizacion de le Cienca”, at the “Entidad Carisub S.A.” and the “Instituo de Antropologia del Ministerio de la Cienca, Tecnologias y Medio Ambiente".
From 1985, he has carried out investigations in institutions of Colonial Science and the History of Technology, in particular those relating to the study of Naval History and sub aquatic archeological history. To achieve this he carried out research in diverse Archive Libraries and Spanish institutions.

In the field of conceptual theory of archeology, he has studied the superstructure of the aboriginal communities of the Indies, art and ideology, religious anthropology, archeology of architectural history in a sub aquatic context. He directed the Provincial Archeological Census of Havana City and he took the position of Scientific Vice Director in the Institute of Anthropology between 1996 and 1999.
He has headed projects, participated in numerous field research projects, instructed in both pre and postgraduate courses and has published his work in Mexico, Spain, Russia, Italy and Cuba. His book "El Real Arsenal de la Havana" (Edited by Letras Cubanas, Madrid 1998) won the prize of Best Science and Technology book published that year.
At present he is the Head of Department of Archeology and History in the Cuban Carisub S.A. dedicated to sub aquatic and coastal archeology.
In the Year 2001, he was approached by the team of Oriflama S.A. regarding the archeological rescue of the Shipwreck. From then on, he provided advice and guidance for the team. In the second semester of 2002 he dedicated himself to the study of historical documentation and elaborated the archeological aspects of the project.
In December 2002 he visited the area of the shipwreck undertaking field work between the rivers Mataquito and Huenchullami, in order to verify testimonies found in the historical documentation and to check coastal characteristics. He also carried out interviews and talked to local people so as to obtain shipwreck related artifacts found in the area.