The essays below will help you to understand the goals and objectives of the mission and provide additional context and information about the places being explored and the science, tools, and technologies being used.
By Dr. Leila Hamdan
Our team of interdisciplinary scientists and educators will conduct a complete archaeological investigation of two previously surveyed sites. Our work may reveal if shipwrecks impact microbial community ecology in similar ways. Our project is equal parts marine archaeology, microbial ecology, and discovery.
Read moreBy Melanie Damour
Archaeology, simply defined, is the science of learning about past human behavior by examining the physical remains left behind by people of the past. Archaeological remains—including sites, structures, features, and artifacts—provide tangible links to our collective human history and are glimpses into the social, economic, and cultural evolution of our species. Archaeology—at its core—is about discovery.
Read moreBy Dr. Leila Hamdan
Our work has revealed microorganisms are cosmopolitan and diverse and that their communities form from interaction with the physics, geology, biology, and chemistry of marine environments. In 2011, however, my research took a sharp turn when I met my first marine archaeologist, and my co-principal investigator on this expedition, Melanie Damour.
Read moreBy Rachel Pugh and Dr. Justyna Hampel
While you may not be able to see them, microbes are abundant and present in all habitats on Earth—including the deep sea. Microbes are an essential component of every ecosystem, and this certainly holds true for the seafloor.
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