Postface. On Underwater Séances and Punk Eulogies

The postface to the book’s five chapters provides a summary of the overarching argument, which is that nautical archaeology bears with its contemporary practice its Early Modern origins in Christian theology. The resurrection—or savior-scholar—model of nautical archaeology is revisited and critiqued for its tendencies toward paternalism and interventionism, features that appear to replicate key theological tenets emphasizing an existential and ontological hierarchy, with humans occupying the pinnacle. In contrast, the postface conjures Spinoza and Feuerbach in a séance to offer an archaeology of shipwrecks whose comparatively anarchic method relies on insurrection rather than resurrection.

Shipwreck Hauntography

Drawing on a broad theoretical range from speculative realism to feminist psychoanalysis and anti-colonialism, this book represents a radical departure from traditional scholarship on maritime archaeology. Shipwreck Hauntography asserts that nautical archaeology bears the legacy of Early Modern theological imperialism, most evident through the savior-scholar model that resurrects—physically or virtually—ships from wrecks. Instead of construing shipwrecks as dead, awaiting resurrection from the seafloor, this book presents them as vibrant if not recalcitrant objects, having shaken off anthropogenesis through varying stages of ruination. Sara Rich illustrates this anarchic condition with 'hauntographs' of five Age of 'Discovery' shipwrecks, each of which elucidates the wonder of failure and finitude, alongside an intimate brush with the eerie, horrific, and uncanny.

Seeking a common ground for the Nautical Archaeology Digital Library (NADL). Reflections on science, method, theory and templates

<p class="VARKeywords">Data sharing is a fundamental process for the advancement of both natural and social sciences. Starting from the idea that computers and the internet have drastically changed the world in the last decades, this paper advocates for the creation of a space where archaeologists from around the world can share information about maritime history and exchange data with colleagues. Following the principles of open access, we argue that raw data publication is necessary and significant for the development and democratization of the discipline. This study explains the fundamental aspects of the Nautical Archaeology Digital Library (NADL) and its efforts to standardize information collection for shipwrecks and related sites, so that scholars can create a community to disseminate both raw data and complete information in the field of maritime archaeology. To achieve this, our purpose is to facilitate the development of common-ground methodology and terminology that promotes an intelligible dialogue within the global community of nautical archaeologists. This paper addresses some considerations on terminology and systematization in scientific disciplines and discusses the theoretical and methodological issues linked to the process of making a template for recording shipwrecks. Furthermore, this article analyses some of the problems related to the standardization of description processes and the necessity to create a flexible system that accounts for data diversity. The third section discusses how science is greatly enhanced by publishing information in open access platforms.</p><p>Highlights:</p><p>• Standardization of data allows robust comparative and inter-subjective analysis of coastal and maritime projects, shipwrecks and nautical technology.<br />• Research is strongly benefited by sharing information underlying publications and raw data generated within a project in open source platforms.<br />• Digital databases such as NADL enhance cooperative research, as well as teaching and outreach strategies.</p>