ADMAT's Maritime Archaeological Field School

Accommodation & Food

The project will be based at ADMAT's Maritime Archaeological Centre, in Monte Cristi on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

Our facility has: two bunk rooms, one male the other female with a common room /kitchen in the middle with the usual facilities, cooker, microwave, large fridge, freezer, DVD and monitor for lectures and recreational films, dining table and settee. In a separate room there are the stores, 6 kva inverter and battery bank which provides power when the mains power fails (frequently) as well as a 5 kva standby generator. The tank room houses the inside conservation tanks, the wet lab and office area.

The Centre has sheets, pillows, towels and blankets for the beds, but you should bring a towel for diving with you. There is a commercial size washing machine and and we hang the washing to dry it.

There are no house keepers at the Centre and so all participants will be required to help with basic chores and maintenance and when applicable walk the dogs, which are part of the team.

There is a mobile telephone which can receive incoming calls. Internet facilities are currently in town about 5 miles away.

Food

A brief self service breakfast and a packed lunch for on the boat for those going on the boat will be provided. As there are not many local eating locations we will arrange a cook for the evening meals at the centre. There however a few good local bars.

Below are some photographs of the centre accommodation building. More can be seen on After Refurbishment

Above: The front of the Centre.

Below: The kitchen.

Above: One of the bunk rooms.

Below: Tile Wreck artefacts in the conservation tanks outside.

Above: The wet lab area.

Below: Inside the tank room.

Diving

The field schools are on the basis of 2 weeks per field school. If weather permits it should be possible to have two tank dives during the morning. The Tile Wreck is located at about 2 metres depth, with some sections of the site being 4 metres deep. Therefore diving in the mornings will on average be for 4 hours. Diving computers are required or divers will be limited to BSAC88 Tables. There are not any strong currents and there will not be any over-head local boat traffic. However as the wreck is situated under mud deposited over time from the mangroves, visibility is varied, and some times during our work very low. In addition there is a greenish tint to the water as a result of the thermocline from the fresh water mixing with the seawater and the deposition from the mangroves.

As the team is going out to the site each day in local small boats, anyone who suffers from seasickness should bring the usual medication. The average boat ride will be just under half an hour each way.

The ADMAT Diving Officer will be responsible for the diving. Full compliance with his instructions will be required. Due to Health and Saftey it is a requirement that all students speak and read English.

Participants must have the following certification as a minimum, either: PADI Advanced Open Water, or BSAC advanced Sports Diver (or the equivalent under another agency). Members will be required to send copies of their diving qualifications with their booking. Original log books or certification cards must be presented to the ADMAT Diving Officer on arrival. In addition the medical statement must also be presented upon arrival.

Above: Cannon 3 as found upside down with the trick pins still attached, on the eastern side of The Tile Wreck.

Please note: All divers must be fit for duty in the mornings. Under Health and Safety Regulations, anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to dive.


Above: A Terracotta floor tile with the makers finger marks clearly visible	Above: A pewter cufflink.	Above: Cannon one with a truck pin.

Participants will be given a full brief as to the ADMAT Standards of Diving. These are for your own health and safety, and for the enjoyment of all. Team Members and students are expected to follow the ADMAT Standards of Diving, as well as the Code of Conduct and Archaeological Protocol. In the unlikely event that a member endangers themselves or others by knowingly diving outside these standards, they may be restricted from further diving or asked to leave the project immediately. Participants will be required to attend a Health and Safety briefing upon arrival, and to comply with it during their stay.

Training

During the survey, archaeological water dredges will be used to remove the overburden. All the necessary training to use this and other equipment will be given.


Above: One adzes and a hoe concreted together.	Above: a possible plane blade concreted to a tumbler.	Above: One of the two deadeyes found on the wreck. This one shows extensive charring to one side.

For Further Information on this great project, click on the headings below.

Project Background		Course Content & Fees
Accommodation.& Diving etc.	Information for Participants	Application Form & Dates

ADMAT's Maritime Archaeological Field School Project Equipment, Equipment Sponsors, Contributors & Supporters.

We are grateful to the following companies who are assisting with equipment sponsorship for this exciting project.