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ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ARTIFACTS FROM THE EMANUEL POINT SHIPWRECKS

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Date Issued:
2013
Abstract/Description:
The purpose of this thesis is to understand the provenance of artifacts from the 1559 Trist n de Luna shipwrecks in Pensacola Bay through chemical characterization and historical research. In preparation for Luna's expedition, the Spanish gathered materials from throughout the New and Old Worlds for the colony. This cultural assemblage of goods was carried to Veracruz, Mexico, where it was loaded onto the ships and ultimately deposited in Pensacola Bay, Florida, when the ships wrecked. By employing neutron activation analysis (NAA), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), it was possible to source some artifacts directly to Spain. Other artifacts were tested and identified as highly probable for a Mexican origin. Examination of these results also determined that the chosen scientific techniques are suitable for characterizing 454-year-old waterlogged artifacts.
Title: ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ARTIFACTS FROM THE EMANUEL POINT SHIPWRECKS.
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Name(s): Gifford, Erica Keenan, Author
Bratten, John R., Committee Chair
Worth, John E., Committee Member
Clune, John J., Committee Member
Wallis, Neill J., Committee Member
University of West Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2013
Publisher: University of West Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this thesis is to understand the provenance of artifacts from the 1559 Trist n de Luna shipwrecks in Pensacola Bay through chemical characterization and historical research. In preparation for Luna's expedition, the Spanish gathered materials from throughout the New and Old Worlds for the colony. This cultural assemblage of goods was carried to Veracruz, Mexico, where it was loaded onto the ships and ultimately deposited in Pensacola Bay, Florida, when the ships wrecked. By employing neutron activation analysis (NAA), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), it was possible to source some artifacts directly to Spain. Other artifacts were tested and identified as highly probable for a Mexican origin. Examination of these results also determined that the chosen scientific techniques are suitable for characterizing 454-year-old waterlogged artifacts.
Identifier: WFE0000414 (IID), uwf:61166 (fedora)
Note(s): 2013-12-01
M.A.
Department of Anthropology
Masters
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/uwf/fd/WFE0000414
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UWF

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