(July) Join scientists as they return to two dive sites they visited in 2009, hoping to excavate late Pleistocene terrestrial sediments from beneath the modern seafloor. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/welcome.html http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/include/images/ocean_explorer_podcast_100.jpg http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/welcome.html Divers had success early on sampling bedrock chert at Unit 2 of the Brownstone site, but their work came to an abrupt halt when a large wave swamped one of the dredge engines. Unable to use the dredge, scientists decided to spend the rest of the day surveying the site and collecting their tools before heading back to shore for an early conclusion to the expedition. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july25/media/movies/0725_highlights_video.html ____________________________________________________________________________ The Submerged New World team continued to face thunderstorms which pelted them with heavy rains, high winds, and large swells. During a break in the weather, divers were able to recover and unclog the dredge hose, and eventually mark a new excavation point within the Brownstone site. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july24/media/movies/0724_highlights_video.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Bad weather forced the team to repair one of the dredge engines and replace the datum post at the Brownstone site. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july23/media/movies/0723_highlights_video.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Our fifth day out to sea was once again filled with challenges that our group overcame by working together, in conjunction with the crew of the R/V Wheatherbird II. Mother natures’ wrath poured upon us throughout the morning.. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july24/july24.html ____________________________________________________________________________ The afternoon was far more productive than the morning. The small storm cells had passed and we were able to complete all necessary dredge repairs (refitting an engine and combining two 100 ft hoses) and put divers in the water to redeploy the dredge hose. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july23/july23.html ____________________________________________________________________________ July 22nd proved to be a testing day. Initial probing of our excavation area indicated the sand deposit was very thin above the bedrock so we decided to move our excavation loci. We are still at the Brownstone site, but have identified new square meters to excavate in search of submerged cultural resources. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july22/july22.html ____________________________________________________________________________ The R/V Weatherbird II officially set sail on July 20th at approximately 4 pm for the offshore, underwater expedition. Our first destination is approximately 20 miles off the mouth of the Suwannee River, a 12 hour trip from St. Petersburg. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/july21/july21.html ____________________________________________________________________________ View photos and videos taken during the Exploring the Submerged New World 2012 Expedition, including high-resolution photos, video, and slideshows. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/logs/photolog/photolog.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Direct archaeological evidence of Pre-Clovis populations found across the America’s continues to grow. Recent work in Florida, Texas, California, and on the Middle Atlantic Seaboard, all indicate that not only was the late Pleistocene human population of the New World widespread long before Clovis, but now it appears as though recognizable regional patterns in artifact forms are beginning to emerge. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/preclovis/preclovis.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Underwater archaeological work is similar to terrestrial excavation in many respects but requires the use of additional techniques and methods, particularly when sensitive organic materials are found that require special handling techniques and processing methods. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/underarch/underarch.html ____________________________________________________________________________ The maximum amount of water trapped in glacial ice occurred roughly 26,000 years ago. This point in time is referred to as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). At the time of the LGM, the Earth’s ocean levels were at their lowest point and extensive reaches of dry land were exposed along the continents’ coasts. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/sealevel/sealevel.html ____________________________________________________________________________ This year’s Submerged New World project is centered on further exploring and sampling two previously identified sites off Florida’s Gulf Coast. In essence, our objective is to ground-truth our electronic data of these sites with hands on collection of ancient sediments. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/plan/plan.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Ocean Explorer Expedition Education Modules (EEM) are designed to reach out in new ways to teachers, students, and the general public, and share the excitement of daily at-sea discoveries and the science behind NOAA’s major ocean exploration initiatives with the people around the world. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/edu/edu.html ____________________________________________________________________________ View photos and short bios of the explorers participating in the Exploring the Submerged New World 2012 Expedition. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/12newworld/background/explorers/explorers.html ____________________________________________________________________________