Corso di Laurea magistrale (ordinamento ex D.M. 270/2004) in Scienze dell'Antichità: Letterature, Storia e Archeologia (classe LM- 2 - Classe delle lauree magistrali in Archeologia) Tesi di Laurea IN-SITU CONSERVATION OF THE SHIPWRECKS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA Relatore Prof. Carlo Beltrame Correlatori Prof. Sauro Gelichi Prof. Filippo Maria Carinci Laureando Vladimir Danilovic Matricola 835000 Anno Accademico 2013 / 2014 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7 2. Importance of Sites ............................................................................................................... 15 2.1. The Significance and Valorization of shipwreck sites ................................................................... 15 2.1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2. Scientific and educational importance ........................................................................................................... 18 2.1.3. Memorial Significance .................................................................................................................................... 20 2.2. The legal protection of underwater cultural heritage................................................................... 24 3. Process of the formation of an archaeological shipwreck site in Mediterranean sea .............. 28 3.1. The dynamics of the formation of the shipwreck site .................................................................. 31 3.1.1. Early Theory .................................................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.2. Natural physical process of forming sites ....................................................................................................... 32 3.1.3. Cultural Site Formation Processes .................................................................................................................. 34 3.1.3.1. Pre-impact ............................................................................................................................................... 36 3.1.3.2. The Impact phase ..................................................................................................................................... 37 3.1.3.3. Recoil phase ............................................................................................................................................. 37 3.1.3.4. The final stage .......................................................................................................................................... 38 4. Threats and causes of the decay of archaeological material .................................................. 39 4.1. Natural process .......................................................................................................................... 40 4.1.1. Mechanical Causes of Damage (Physical- mechanical) ................................................................................... 40 4.1.1.1. Currents ................................................................................................................................................... 40 4.1.2. Biological threats ............................................................................................................................................ 44 4.1.2.1. Microorganisms ....................................................................................................................................... 46 4.1.2.1.1 Teredo Navalis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Teredinidae) ..................................................... 46 4.1.2.1.2 Xylophaga dorsalis ............................................................................................................................. 51 4.1.2.1.3. Gribble (Limnoforia Lignorum) ......................................................................................................... 52 4.1.2.2 Microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) ........................................................................................................ 54 4.1.2.2.1 Fungi .................................................................................................................................................. 56 4.1.2.2.1.1 White Rot and Brown Rot ........................................................................................................... 57 4.1.2.2.1.2 Soft Rot ....................................................................................................................................... 58 4.1.2.2.1. Bacteria ............................................................................................................................................. 61 4.1.2.2.1.1. Erosive bacteria (EB) .................................................................................................................. 62 4.1.2.2.1.2. Tunneling Bacteria (TB) .............................................................................................................. 63 4.1.2.2.1.3. Cavitation Bacteria ..................................................................................................................... 64 2 Table of Contents 4.2. Human impact ........................................................................................................................... 65 4.2.1. Industrial Development and Large construction projects .............................................................................. 66 4.2.1.1. Oil and gas exploration ............................................................................................................................ 67 4.2.1.2. THE construction of port and marine terminals ...................................................................................... 67 4.2.3. Commercial fishing and fish farming .............................................................................................................. 69 4.2.4. Treasure hunting ............................................................................................................................................. 71 4.2.5. Sport Diving..................................................................................................................................................... 74 4.3. Final Considerations ................................................................................................................... 76 5. The Archaeological Heritage in the Mediterranean Region - Peculiarities of the Mediterranean and differences with that of Northern Europe ........................................................................... 81 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 81 5.2 General Characteristics Of The Mediterranean ............................................................................. 86 5.2.1. Physical Geographical Feautures .................................................................................................................... 86 5.2.2. Climatic characteristics of the Mediterranean ............................................................................................... 88 5.2.3. Salinity ............................................................................................................................................................ 89 5.2.4. Sea currents in the Mediterranean Sea .......................................................................................................... 91 5.3. Conservation of underwater archaeological cultural heritage in the Mediterranean..................... 96 5.3.1 Biological background and ancient references ................................................................................................ 97 5.4. Case studies in Mediterranean sea............................................................................................ 104 5.5. Comparative analysis with the regions of The Baltic Sea ............................................................ 109 5.6. The main characteristics and problems related to conservation in the Mediterranean Sea ......... 116 5.6.1. Specific contexts of deposition ..................................................................................................................... 129 5.6.1.1. Deep Sea ................................................................................................................................................ 129 5.6.1.2. Shallow Water and Beaches .................................................................................................................. 135 5.6.1.3. Rocky Bottom ......................................................................................................................................... 141 6. A Planning Model and Methods for the Protection of Archaeological Sites in-situ ................ 145 6.1. In situ conservation and stabilization .......................................................................................