Podcast Summary: "Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS) Encore with Chanelle Zaphiropoulos" on Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode Information:

• Title: Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS) Encore with Chanelle Zaphiropoulos
• Host: Alie Ward
• Guest: Chanelle Zaphiropoulos, Maritime Archaeologist
• Release Date: May 21, 2025

Introduction to Maritime Archaeology

Alie Ward reintroduces the topic of shipwrecks, diving deep into the fascinating world of maritime archaeology with her guest, Chanelle Zaphiropoulos. This encore episode revisits a highly acclaimed discussion from a previous installment, providing listeners with enriched insights into the study of submerged cultural heritage.

Chanelle’s Background and Passion for the Sea

Chanelle Zaphiropoulos shares her extensive academic background, holding a bachelor's degree in Classical Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, and nearing completion of her master's in Maritime Archaeology at the University of Malta.

"This Canadian got her bachelor's in classical Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies and archaeology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada... and she's moments away from her master's in maritime archaeology at the University of Malta." [02:08]

Chanelle expresses her deep enthusiasm for maritime archaeology, emphasizing her dedication to studying lost crafts and their historical significance.

Diving into Shipwrecks: Technologies and Techniques

The conversation delves into the nuances of maritime archaeology, distinguishing it from marine and nautical archaeology. Chanelle explains the specialized focus of maritime archaeologists on various types of shipwrecks, including battleships, wooden boats, and submarines.

"There are different maritime archaeologists who study battleships and wooden boats and submarines... naval historians like nautical archaeology." [05:33]

Chanelle highlights the pivotal role of technologies like sonar and scuba gear in locating and studying shipwrecks. She discusses the challenges of exploring deep wrecks, such as the HMS Olympus, located 115 meters below the surface, which renders direct diving impossible for many.

"This was recorded a few years ago, so obviously she got it." [02:11]

Ethics and Ownership in Maritime Archaeology

A significant portion of the episode addresses the ethical considerations in maritime archaeology. Chanelle articulates the delicate balance between preserving wrecks as historical artifacts and respecting them as war graves.

"If you know exactly how far into its voyage it was when it hit a mine... Good luck trying to figure that out." [12:28]

She emphasizes that the decision to excavate or preserve shipwrecks depends on various factors, including ecological impact, legal ownership, and the potential benefits of preserving the wreck in its current state.

"Everything in archaeology has an equilibrium in terms of decay... it's going to reach a certain point where it's no longer going to decay underwater." [17:50]

Fascinating Shipwrecks and Their Stories

Chanelle enumerates notable shipwrecks, including the Titanic, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and ancient vessels like the Antikythera mechanism shipwreck. She discusses the historical context of these wrecks and their cultural significance.

"The Titanic could send texts... It ended up with... 1500 lives were lost to the sea off Newfoundland." [14:59]

Chanelle also touches upon the legacy of explorers like Admiral Laskarina Bouboulina and the intricacies involved in identifying and preserving shipwrecks tied to historical figures.

"One of my personal heroes is this Greek naval captain... I would love to find any wreck that's associated with her." [48:22]

Ecosystems and Wildlife Around Shipwrecks

The episode explores how shipwrecks become thriving ecosystems, supporting diverse marine life. Chanelle explains how these submerged structures provide hard substrates for marine organisms, creating artificial reefs that attract a myriad of sea creatures.

"Anything that needs a hard substrate to settle off of loves a shipwreck... You have sharks, everything comes to it." [75:28]

She also discusses the impact of shipworms on wooden wrecks, detailing their role in the decomposition process and the challenges they pose to preservation efforts.

"Shipworms are virtually going to leave metal ones alone because there's nothing for them to eat." [74:07]

Challenges in Maritime Archaeology

Chanelle candidly shares the difficulties faced in her field, ranging from technical limitations in exploring deep wrecks to ethical dilemmas in interacting with war graves. She highlights the importance of community involvement and the need for responsible diving practices to preserve these underwater sites.

"You have to have good buoyancy control... you don't want something to be hanging two feet off and just like bashing into everything." [88:23]

Engaging with the Community: Listener Questions

The episode features a Q&A segment where Chanelle addresses various listener questions, offering insights into maritime archaeology's practical aspects and debunking myths surrounding phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle and Atlantis.

Key Questions Discussed:

1. Exploration Restrictions:

   • "What's the number one wreck you wish you could freely explore but you can't?" [47:36]
   • Chanelle explains the limitations imposed by depth and the sensitive nature of certain wrecks, such as war graves.

2. Ownership of Artifacts:

   • "Is it finders keepers?" [79:24]
   • She clarifies that historical shipwrecks fall under complex legal jurisdictions, and ownership often belongs to the original sponsoring entity or the nation within whose waters the wreck resides.

3. Impact of Popular Culture:

   • "How do maritime archaeologists feel about the Titanic effect and shipwrecks as entertainment?" [39:19]
   • Chanelle acknowledges both the benefits in raising public interest and the downsides related to the potential for unauthorized artifact recovery.

4. Great Lakes vs. Ocean Wrecks:

   • "Is there anything unique about shipwrecks in the Great Lakes versus those in the ocean?" [83:57]
   • She discusses the unique preservation conditions in the Great Lakes, such as colder temperatures and lack of shipworms, which contribute to the excellent state of many wrecks there.

Maritime Archaeology’s Broader Impact

Chanelle emphasizes the role of maritime archaeology in connecting marginalized communities to their heritage. She highlights organizations like "Diving with a Purpose" and "Black Girls Dive," which aim to make diving and underwater archaeology more inclusive and accessible to diverse populations.

"Shipwrecks are a huge way to reconnect with our heritage... indigenous cultures have a lot less shipwrecks, which says something about colonial practices." [89:20]

Conclusion: The Future of Maritime Archaeology

Chanelle shares her aspirations for making shipwreck sites more accessible, particularly for individuals with disabilities. She envisions a future where technology bridges the gap, allowing a broader audience to experience and appreciate submerged heritage.

"Getting to work with communities and giving back to them... creating accessibility tools for the visually impaired." [100:56]

Alie Ward wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with maritime archaeology responsibly and support efforts to preserve these underwater time capsules.

Notable Quotes:

• "Maritime archaeology comes from 'mare,' which means sea in Latin, and 'archaeos,' which is ancient in Greek." — Chanel Zaphiropoulos [16:08]

• "Shipwrecks are like submerged material culture... it's human things that have ended up underwater." — Chanel Zaphiropoulos [24:19]

• "Ownership of the past... you really have to ask who owns the past." — Chanel Zaphiropoulos [79:34]

• "I think the coolest things are always the things that show us about their daily lives." — Chanel Zaphiropoulos [62:31]

• "Every site has its equilibrium in terms of decay... preserving them underwater can sometimes be better than on land." — Chanel Zaphiropoulos [17:50]

Key Takeaways:

• Maritime Archaeology Defined: A specialized field focused on submerged cultural heritage, including shipwrecks and their historical contexts.

• Technology’s Role: Tools like sonar, scuba gear, and ROVs are essential in locating and studying shipwrecks, though depth often limits direct exploration.

• Ethical Considerations: Balancing preservation, respect for war graves, and legal ownership is crucial in maritime archaeology.

• Environmental Impact: Shipwrecks serve as artificial reefs, fostering diverse marine ecosystems but also posing challenges like shipworm infestations.

• Community Engagement: Making maritime archaeology inclusive and accessible helps reconnect diverse communities with their submerged histories.

• Preservation Challenges: Natural factors like corrosion, shipworms, and sediment accumulation, alongside human factors like unauthorized artifact recovery, threaten the integrity of shipwrecks.

This detailed exploration offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of maritime archaeology, shedding light on the complexities, challenges, and profound cultural significance of studying shipwrecks. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a science lover, or simply curious about the mysteries of the deep, this episode provides valuable insights into the watery depths where history lies submerged.