Ship ahoy! Evaluation of waterlogged wood remains from El Burrero shipwreck (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain)

Abstract

Archaeobotanical analyses of waterlogged woods, normally well preserved, are usually performed despite the investment of fieldwork required to recover them. However, waterlogged woods are also exposed to degradation processes considering its organic matter nature. The rate of decay depends on different parameters such as wood species, chronology, sediment protection, environmental factors or physical damage. In this work we present the analysis of wood fragments from El Burrero shipwreck, the remains of a ship dated to the Modern period and located in eastern Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) 4 meters deep. Xylological analysis conducted on several samples from the wooden remnants of the ship’s hull allowed determining the type of wood used in the construction of the ship and contributed to the hypothesis of a European origin. Thus, wood fragments from El Burrero shipwreck have been identified as deciduous oak (Quercus sp.), elm (Ulmus sp.) and cryophilous pine (Pinus tp. sylvestris), being this diversity possibly related with wood selection depending on the construction elements. Finally, macro and micromorphological analysis of wood fragments revealed evidences of biodegradation by bacteria, fungi and Teredo navalis (shipworm) which are also the focus of this work.