Episode 44 - The Best of LIDAR and Pirate Archaeology

Episode 44 Summary 

Welcome to this episode of Into the Dust! This week, we’re covering two topics from the world of archaeology. First, we’ll deep-dive into swashbucklimg pirate archaeology, uncovering artifacts and shipwrecks from the Barbary corsairs and legendary pirate Blackbeard. Then, we’ll explore groundbreaking finds made possible through LIDAR technology, revealing ancient civilizations long hidden from view. Get ready for a thrilling mix of history, technology, and discovery!

Part 1: Barbary Corsairs and Blackbeard  

What do North Africa’s fearsome Barbary pirates and the infamous Blackbeard have in common? Both made headlines this week, but for very different reasons. A recently discovered 18th-century Barbary pirate shipwreck has raised questions about the intersection of treasure hunting and archaeology. Laden with pottery, guns, and potential links to the slave trade, this ship opens a window into the brutal reality of Mediterranean piracy. Meanwhile, the salvage of Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge off the coast of North Carolina offers a rare glimpse into the golden age of piracy, with recovered artifacts and community archaeology enriching the pirate’s all-too-real story.

Part 2: Ancient Civilizations Uncovered by LIDAR  

LIDAR strikes again! This revolutionary technology has uncovered astonishing discoveries across the globe, including ancient Amazonian settlements in Ecuador, complete with roads, platforms, and a civilization rivaling the grandeur of the Maya. Archaeologists also used LIDAR to map two high-altitude medieval cities in Uzbekistan, rewriting what we thought we knew about the ancient Silk Road. The insights gained from these hidden cities offer a testament to the potential of technology to rewrite archaeology’s history books.

Timestamps 

00:00: Barbary Pirate Corsair Discovered 

08:26: Visit to the OBX – Blackbeard’s Stomping Waters

19:20: Lost City of the Amazon Discovered in the Upano Valley, Ecuador

25:53: Bronze Age City in Uzbekistan

Links & Resources 

• Barbary Rouges & Renegades: Wreck Watch Issue 16-17 Summer 2024 www.wreckwatchmag.com
• Queen Anne’s Revenge Project: https://www.qaronline.org/ 
• North Carolina Maritime Museum Beaufort – https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/
• Two thousand years of garden urbanism in the Upper Amazon: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi6317
• Large-scale medieval urbanism traced by UAV–lidar in highland Central Asia: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08086-5 

Related Episodes 

• Lost Pirate Shipwreck Discovered - The Barbary Pirates: Archaeology News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_JHt8EAeD0
• Unearthing the Unexpected: Archaeology in the Outer Banks (Pirates, horses & lost colony, OH MY!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbt46_gunzA
• Archaeology News Edition #2 Highlights: MS Origins, Lost Amazon Cities & Anglo-Saxon Treasures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6NcihZQlaw
• Archaeology News - Fake News at Petra, Lost Cities of the Silk Road, and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kKNoFafUhg

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