The
Nautical
Archaeology
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Ribadeo – Trench 2

Trench 2 is located on starboard, abaft the main mast as was surveyed in 2018. The quality of the very fine grey silt that covered this portion of the shipwreck ensured an excellent preservation of both timbers and artifacts, and we were forced to stop the excavation because we did not have the extensive means necessary to conserve the abundance of organic artifacts preserved beneath a thin layer (about 15-20 cm) of sand.

Trench 2. Orthophoto (Christin and Brandon Mason, 2019)

Outer Planking

In 2018 we did not excavated more than the necessary on the outer side of the hull, in order to prevent disturbance. This area of the hull is heavily framed, with timbers that seem to be inclined forward in relation to the planking and ceiling timbers. And a number of unidentified timbers were exposed, whose function is not yet clear to us.

Trench 2. Sketch from the outside (2018).
Trench 2. Sketch from the outside (2018).

The outer planking is also fastened to the frames with two or three iron spikes with square shanks, and entirely covered with lead sheathing, indicating that in this area we were before a portion of the live works of the hull (below the waterline).

Trench 2. Section (2018).

The frames in this area are not set at a square angle with the longitudinal timbers.

Trench 2. View of the outside of the hull, showing timber 29 – possibly a wale – and the lead sheathing pealing over the outer planking (Brando Mason, 2018).

Inside Structure

In 2018 we have trenched on the inside of the hull but had to stop due to the density and preservation of organic materials.

Trench 2. Inside of the hull (2018).

At this level of the ship side, which we presume to be close to the bottom, there were some interior structures difficult to interpret, some clearly connected to the hull, and some probably displaced during the site formation process.