Preliminary results of the underwater excavation o f the early medieval wreck o f Port Berteau II, Charente-Maritime (France).

Abstract

This article describes the preliminary conclusions of the underwater archaeological excavation of an early medieval wreck. The remains of the wreck of Port Berteau II are situated, at a depth of 7 meters, in the river Charente, in South West France, between Saintes and Rochefort. 1. The technics and methods used during this underwater exacavation are discussed. 2. The new french method of computer data recording named Archeo-Data is analysed. The choice of this particular method has been made in relation with our concept of nautical archaeolgy in which the wreck and her geomorphological environment are studied in synchronism. 3. The architectural remains of the wreck are described. It seems that this coaster (14,60 meters long, 4,60 meters breadth) has been built in a “skeleton first carvel” fashion. 4. A typology of the nails joined the planks to the stem and the stem is made. 5. The geomorphological environment is studied to reconstitute the early medieval caracteristics of the river Charente and to explain the different steps of the wreck’s creation.