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On Defining the Identity of Vessels: an Interim Report and Critical Approach to the Deltebre I (1813) Site, Spain

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Abstract

Determining a ship’s identity is usually based on a critical and integral analysis of several approaches and lines of evidence. Based on Harpster's seminal work, an insight into this endeavour is developed here for the Deltebre I site. The archaeological information obtained since 2008 from the remains of the cargo, hull structure, equipment, and personal possessions, combined with documentary data, helped to address the dating, type, function, and provenance of the vessel. More specifically, we discuss its links with the British ordnance ships Southampton and Magnum Bonum, lost in 1813 at the mouth of the Ebro river, Spain.

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Data Availability

The data supporting the results of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

This research was developed with the financial support of the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia, belonging to the Catalan Cultural Heritage Agency of the Government of Catalonia, and the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities (FEDAS). The authors are deeply grateful to all the scholars and students involved in the Deltebre I project over the years. A mention to Caterina Aguer, Jaume Busquets, Josep Maria Llorens, and Thais Torra, for their assistance with the research of the Deltebre I site collection. To Diego Carabias, Ana Castelli, Cristian Murray, and Peter Northover, for providing valuable data and critical comments on the theme developed in this paper.

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  1. Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Catalonia, Archaeological Museum of Catalonia (CASC-MAC), Pedret 95, Girona, Catalonia, 17007, Spain

    Rut Geli

  2. National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Buenos Aires, 217/221, 25 de Mayo St., 3rd floor (C1002ABE), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Nicolás C. Ciarlo

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design; material preparation, data collection, and analysis. The first draft of the article was written by Nicolás C. Ciarlo and, together with Rut Geli, commented on previous versions. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nicolás C. Ciarlo.

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Geli, R., Ciarlo, N.C. On Defining the Identity of Vessels: an Interim Report and Critical Approach to the Deltebre I (1813) Site, Spain. Int J Histor Archaeol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10761-024-00728-8

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