The Clarence wreck in Australia and its modern SEA connections

Earlier this year I posted a call by the Archaeology Unit from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies for The Australian Historic Shipwreck Protection Project. The Age has a story out about the underwater excavation and a mention about the Southeast Asian archaeologists working at the site.

Wreck reveals its bounty
The Age, 17 April 2012

One of Australia’s largest underwater research projects started this week when a team of 60 scientists, students and volunteers began a month-long study of the Clarence’s remains.

With a $500,000 grant from the Australian Research Council, those involved in the three-year project will examine the hull of the 67-tonne, 15-metre wooden ship and the objects found aboard it.

Monash University marine archaeologist Mark Staniforth says the research is intended to develop a “sophisticated protocol” for rapid excavation, detailed recording and reburial of significant shipwrecks that are at risk — “and to foster a strategic national approach for shipwreck management”.

…

The National University of Singapore is another sponsor. It has paid for four Asian marine archaeologists from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines to take part in the excavation. Professor Staniforth says that although thousands of shipwrecks are scattered around the Asian region, there are few trained specialists to work on them. Taking part in a big underwater excavation is something the visitors have never experienced before.

Full story here.