The Tile Wreck 2021 Accommodation, Diving & Training

Accommodation & Food

The project will be based at ADMAT's Maritime Archaeological Centre, in Monte Cristi on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

Our Co-Ed facility has: two bunk rooms, with a common room/kitchen in the middle with the usual facilities, cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer and dining table. The tank room houses the inside conservation tanks, the wet lab and office area.

The Centre has sheets, pillows, towels and blankets for the beds, but you should bring two towels for diving with you. There is a washing machine and we hang the washing to dry it.

There are no housekeepers at the Centre and so all participants will be required to help with basic chores and maintenance and when applicable walk the dogs, which are part of the team.

There is a mobile telephone which can receive incoming calls. Internet facilities are currently in town about 5 miles away or the local bars which are a mile away.

Student Grant documenting artefacts from The Tile Wreck

Ast. Diving Officer and Dr. Jennifer Chow documenting artefacts

Cook Blanca prepairing a meal

Anchors and cannons from The Tile Wreck in conservation tanks

Maritimearchaeologist watching Raimund Krob constructing the survey grid

How to transport PVC pipe the Dominican Way!

The historic mountain El Morro

The Centre

Project Leader John Downing and a Team having dinner

Archaeological students working

Food

A brief self service breakfast and a packed lunch for on the boat for those going on the boat will be provided. As there are not many local eating locations we will arrange a cook for the evening meals at the centre. There however a few good local bars.

Diving

The field schools are on the basis of 2 weeks per field school. If weather permits it should be possible to have two tank dives during the morning. The Tile Wreck is located at about 2 metres depth, with some sections of the site being 4 meters deep. Therefore diving in the mornings will on average be for 4 hours. Diving computers are required or divers will be limited to BSAC88 Tables. There are not any strong currents and there will not be any over-head local boat traffic. However as the wreck is situated under mud deposited over time from the mangroves, visibility is varied, and some times during our work very low. In addition there is a greenish tint to the water as a result of the thermocline from the fresh water mixing with the seawater and the deposition from the mangroves.

As the team is going out to the site each day in local small boats, anyone who suffers from seasickness should bring the usual medication. The average boat ride will be just under half an hour each way.

The ADMAT Diving Officer will be responsible for the diving. Full compliance with his instructions will be required. Due to Health and Safety it is a requirement that all students speak and read English.

Participants must have the following certification as a minimum, either: PADI Open Water, or BSAC Sports Diver (or the equivalent under another agency). Members will be required to send copies of their diving qualifications with their booking. Original log books or certification cards must be presented to the ADMAT Diving Officer on arrival. In addition the medical statement must also be presented upon arrival.

Please note: All divers must be fit for duty in the mornings. Under Health and Safety Regulations, anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to dive.

Dr Spooner gets ready to lead the Team on The Tile Wreck

Some of the granite blocks on the cargo deck on The Tile Wreck

Dr. Francois Gendron leading the dive team to deploy the grid on site

Part of the cargo of Adzes which was located on The Tile Wreck

Maritime archaeologist Valentine learning how to use the AGA full face mask and the OTS underwater communication equipment

Fish life on the wreck site undisturbed by our work

Concretion attach to a piece of French faienceware

Half a bowl with great French faienceware design

Dr. Spooner uncovering a pewter plate on The Tile Wreck

A dead eye from The Tile wreck

French faienceware handle

The cargo deck on The Tile Wreck

Some of the cargo of French granite building blocks on the cargo deck of The Tile Wreck

Anchor Two on The Tile wreck, next to a skid beam

The Team surveying

Some of the cargo on The Tile Wreck

Project Leader John Downing transporting one of the granite blocks

Co creater of ADMAT, Christine Nielson on the wreck site

Training

During the survey, archaeological water dredges will be used to remove the overburden. All the necessary training to use this and other equipment will be given.

ADMAT's maritime archaeological work on this wreck site was assisted by ADMAT-FRANCE a non profit organisation based in the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.

ADMAT-FRANCE is a sub division of the Anglo ~ Danish Maritime Archaeological Team

ADMAT is delighted to have an association with Muséum Nationald’Histoire Naturelle at Paris, départememt Préhistoire, UMR-CNRS 7194.