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Application for destructive analyses of selected samples from 'Haarlem' 2018 test excavations

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CaseHeader

Status: 

HeritageAuthority(s): 

Case Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

As part of the search for the wreck of the VOC ship 'Haarlem' (1647), test excavations were undertaken on Dolphin Beach, Cape Town, in 2018. During these excavations, a number of samples were recovered with the approval of SAHRA (CaseID 12558, PermitID 2731). The samples that have been selected for further analyses are of wood, iron, brass and copper. Laboratory analyses of these samples may indicate their source of origin. This can contribute to positive identification of the wreck of 'Haarlem'.

Expanded_Motivation: 

The wood is going to be studied by Prof. M. Bamford of Wits University. The primary objective is to identify the species of tree(s) and origin. Dating will be done by dendro-chronology and 14C. A short description of the proposed sampling process for the metals was provided by Dr G. Bigbee of Wits University who is also going to undertake these analyses. A major advantage of non-traditional isotope studies (e.g. Cu, Fe, Ca and Sr) is that the mass of material required is extremely small, on the order of <500 μg. Specialist microdrills and non-contaminating bits are used to ensure that sampling is as minimally destructive as possible. Creating the requisite powder (<500 μg) produces exceptionally small spots on the surface of the artefact, on the order of ~500 μm in diameter. Under normal lighting conditions, these marks can be barely be seen. Highly magnified images illustrate the minimal damage that is created on the sampling process. A maximum of 3 drill spots will need to be created on any artefact. These drilling techniques have been tested in the ultra-clean WIGL at Wits University. Given this success, all fragments will be sampled in this laboratory. No samples will be sent to overseas laboratories and all samples will be returned after analyses have been completed. The application for a permit for these analyses is done in the Western Cape Province.

ApplicationDate: 

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 - 18:39

CaseID: 

14017

OtherReferences: 

Heritage Reports: 

Haarlem interim report October 2018

ReferenceList: 

CitationReferenceType
B.E.J.S. Werz, The Haarlem shipwreck (1647): The Origins of Cape Town. University of South Africa (Unisa) Press, Pretoria 2017. (1-171). ISBN: 978-1-86888-839-9.
B.E.J.S. Werz, Willem H.B. Steenkamp & Mark R. Prowse, ‘Searching for a symbolic shipwreck in Table Bay: Haarlem (1647).’ South African Journal of Science 113, 2017, 9/10. (1-4).
B.E.J.S. Werz, ’The Wreck of the Dutch East India Company Ship Haarlem (1647) in Table Bay and the Establishment of the ‘Tavern of the Seas’ in: Mariner’s Mirror 103:4, 2017 (400-416).
B.E.J.S. Werz, ‘In search of the Nieuw Haarlem’ in: Ron Guleij & Gerrit Knaap (eds.). The Dutch East India Company book. W Books / Nationaal Archief, Zwolle 2017. (61-63).
AdditionalDocuments
  1. File 'Haarlem Project' Samples submitted for analyses.docx
 
 

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