Which way?

Which way is up?

... and a mini-tutorial on archaeological context

O	ver the months we've gleaned information about the Hunley from regular press reports and news stories. Because this is an archaeology project, some of the terminology may not have been completely clear.

     In archaeology, recording context is essential, and everything found in the Hunley has been photographed and drawn in situ, and its precise position recorded. Normally, a grid system is laid out to map excavation trenches, with each grid element having a unique identification. The grid might be a matrix of 2-meter squares, or might be tailored to fit rooms, for example, if a building is being excavated. A reference point is chosen and its geographical location and altitude recorded. All measurements are made relative to this point. Likewise, direction is determined and all drawings and photographs include an arrow pointing north.
     The Hunley, having been removed from its resting-place on the ocean bottom has no need for a geographical context. (In fact, that context exists and can be applied to the interior excavation if necessary, because the same archaeological process was applied to the underwater project that recovered the submarine and the various loose elements.) The reference point chosen was most likely the tip of the bow and the direction reference shown in photos and drawings is "forward". The original grid system probably divided the hull into sections lengthwise matching the hull plates. After the plates were removed, the grid was probably changed to match the frame elements as these divide the cabin into physical work areas. The original grid might also have been retained with a new secondary grid mapped back to it.
     The excavation proceeded in horizontal layers as I've illustrated on these pages and as can be seen in the released photos. In archaeology, deeper almost always means older, and shallower, more recent. It's not yet clear how relevant this is to the Hunley interior excavation. If the cabin filled with sediment rapidly, it will be more relevant. If filling occurred long after the remains of the crew and artifacts settled in their positions, it will be less so. Analysis of all the recorded data will determine this only after the excavation is complete.

So we come to the possible confusion. When a report says something was found deeper or higher in the cabin does it mean closer to the cabin floor or ceiling, or since the Hunley leans 45^o to starboard, does it mean closer to the lab floor or ceiling? This really isn't important to the average person, but it has been significant a few times for those of us trying to glean more information from the reports.

My guess has been the latter.