The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) announces its 2017 classes, to be held in Warwick on May 13, 20, 27 and in Warren on June 10, 17, 24. All the class topics are given in a downloadable training application posted on the www.rimap.org website. All classes are open to the public and completion of the basic Introduction (May 13 or June 24) is required for volunteer participation in summer fieldwork. RIMAP membership for 2017 is $25. For a snail mail copy or further information, please contact RIMAP at rhodeislandmap@yahoo.com or call (401) 253-2094. RIMAP membership is open to the general public (divers and non-divers) and pre-registration is recommended.
Saturday May 13 (9-4) – Introduction to Marine Archaeology ($50): Instructor Kathy Abbass – How marine archaeologists work, including remote sensing, field methods, legal issues, field documentation, and RIMAP protocols. Open to the general public; required for RIMAP volunteer participation.
Saturday May 20 (9-12) – Rhode Island in the Revolution ($25): Instructor Kathy Abbass – Why RI was pivotal to Patriot success in the Revolution, and what RIMAP is doing to share that history with the public. Saturday, May 20 (1-4) – Measured Drawing for Archaeologists ($25): Instructor Charles Kovach – How to prepare professional quality drawings of archaeological specimens for general documentation and publication. Recommended for those interested to help with RIMAP’s artifact collection.
Saturday May 27 (9-12) – Museum Theory & RIMAP’s plans for Butts Hill Fort ($25): Instructors Elliott Caldwell, Kathy Abbass – Ethics and museum management. Also introduces what RIMAP will need to know as we build an artifact management facility and museum.
Saturday May 27 (1-4) – Sharing Shipwrecks ($25): Instructor Joy Elvin – Interpreting submerged cultural resources and ways to enjoy our underwater heritage. Why that is important and how it relates to the public’s interest in our maritime past.
Saturday June 10 (9-12) – Site Mapping I ($25): Instructors Kerry Lynch – How to collect and interpret archaeological data. Introduces the selection of a site datum, installation of baselines, linear, circular, and pendulum searches. Recommended for those who participate in RIMAP fieldwork.
Saturday June 10 (1-4) – Site Mapping II ($25): Instructor Kerry Lynch – Introduces the installation of grids and drawing from them. Both Site Mapping classes demonstrate how to interpret field data and create simple site maps. Recommended for those who participate in RIMAP fieldwork.
NEW! Saturday June 17 (9-12) Cook and the Endeavour Bark in Rhode Island ($25): The history of the man and his ship, the history of RIMAP’s related studies, and what they can mean for Rhode Island.
Saturday June 17 (1-4) Traditional Ship Construction ($25): Instructor Kathy Abbass – What marine archaeologists need to know about how boats are built to interpret historic shipwreck sites.