One central component of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition is providing students with hands-on experience in underwater science and underwater archaeology in particular.
Undergraduate students from Texas at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary with the remotely operated vehicles that they built during the Underwater Archaeology Field School hosted as part of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 776 KB).
Undergraduate students from Texas test piloting the remotely operated vehicles they built during the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition in the laboratory pool. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 646 KB).
Explorers Ashley Lemke, John O’Shea, Brendan Nash, and Michael “River” Rivera taught an Underwater Archaeology Field School on station in Alpena, Michigan, on and in the waters of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Eight undergraduate students from the University of Texas at Arlington traveled to the Great Lakes to partake in this anthropology class. While there, students learned about the rich maritime history of Michigan and the long prehistory of indigenous Native Americans in the region.
Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition explorers John O’Shea, Ashley Lemke, Brendan Nash, and Michael “River” Rivera. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 790 KB).
Underwater Archaeology Field School students and Dr. Ashley Lemke with the research remotely operated vehicle used during the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 951 KB).
Each student was trained in a range of techniques for conducting underwater archaeology including building their own remotely operated vehicle (ROV), piloting a research ROV, learning to design sonar surveys to search for shipwrecks, and detailed methods for archaeological site recording.
Underwater Archaeology Field School students and Dr. Ashley Lemke on Research Vessel Blue Traveler during the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 595 KB).
Underwater Archaeology Field School students using a total data station to precisely map ship wreckage during the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Image courtesy of the Discovering the Submerged Prehistory of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge in Central Lake Huron expedition. Download largest version (jpg, 635 KB).
Published September 15, 2021
