Recording Methodology
A maritime archaeologist takes an offset measurement off their permanent baseline in order to construct a scaled depiction of the portion of their site (all images courtesy Program in Maritime Studies, ECU).

Archaeologists have several methods at their disposal for recording wrecks depending on the site’s nature. One method, baseline offset, is accomplished by running measuring tapes at ninety degree angles from the baseline. Archaeologists then record the location of artifacts along this offset, and draw the artifact to scale onto their slate. Another method, trilateration, is accomplished by taking measurements along two different points of the baseline to key points on an artifact. These points may then be represented on an unmeasured sketch of the site, and drawn to scale later.



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