Archaeological Research

About LAMP

· Our Mission

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Lost Ships of
St. Augustine

Archaeological
Research

· Maritime Archaeology

· The Industry

· 19th Cen. Steamship

Historical Research

· A Brief History
of St. Augustine

Artifact Conservation

· Conservation Reports

· Sucrose Treatment

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· How to Get Involved

Scientific Diving

· How to Join

LAMP Boatworks

Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Project: Diver Underwater

LAMP diver recording the hull remains of a 19th century shipwreck in 90 feet of water off the coast of Ireland.

Meaningful archaeological research has always been the foundation of LAMP's mission. Since 1999, LAMP archaeologists have been conducting field operations in the offshore and inland waters and along the coastlines of St. Augustine, the surrounding First Coast region of Florida, and as far away as Europe. Fieldwork usually consists of 1) survey or the search for undiscovered archaeological sites, 2) investigation, documentation, and excavation to better understand these sites, and 3) regular monitoring to help protect and preserve these sites, and to gain insight into how they are affected by natural and human-induced activities such as hurricanes and beach replenishment dredging.

Archaeology is the closest thing we have to a time machine. When carefully excavated and studied by trained archaeologists, shipwrecks become time capsules that can provide a wealth of information on the lives of the people who sailed on them and a broader understanding of trade patterns and socioeconomic activities on a local, regional, and global scale. LAMP has documented and analyzed the remains of a number of ships dating to the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and they have added considerably to our knowledge of the development of America's oldest port and its place in a constantly evolving global economy. Maritime archaeology is not limited to shipwrecks, however, and LAMP archaeologists have also investigated a wide range of sites including anchorages, ballast dump sites, historic boatyards, colonial wharves, locally-built vernacular boats, coastal fortifications, river waterfronts associated with British plantations, ferry and steamboat landings, and historic navigational aids such as the Lighthouse itself.

Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Project: New Smyrna Beach Wreck

LAMP volunteers recording the remains of a beached wreck at New Smyrna Beach.

Please explore the links below to learn more about LAMP's ongoing program of archaeological research:

Brief history of LAMP's archaeological research in St. Augustine
Major Research Projects and Regional Surveys

Achill Island Maritime Archaeological Survey

Shipwreck Projects

Excavation of the British sloop Industry, lost in 1764 while trying to enter St. Augustine harbor
"The Steamship Wreck," an unidentified propeller-driven steamship lost sometime in the second half of the 19th century offshore the St. Augustine Lighthouse

Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Project: Archaeologists Excavating with a Suction Dredge.

Archaeologists excavating in shallow waters with a suction dredge.

Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Project: Excavating Site of the Original Lighthouse

Excavating the site of the original 18th century lighthouse.

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