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Peter Campbell

Peter is a PhD student at University of Southampton researching social aspects of maritime technology. He is also head underwater archaeologist for the Cave Archaeology Investigation & Research Network (CAIRN) and archaeological Director-at-Large for the Albanian Center for Marine Research. Peter is a Federal Qualified Principal Investigator (US) in maritime archaeology and listed on the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA).

Testing a Prototype 3D Structure Light Imaging System for Underwater Archaeology

While 3D imaging has become a revolution in land archaeology, it has experienced a difficult baptism underwater. Electrical equipment and water do not mix, plus many systems do not easily transfer underwater when you add currents, visibility issues, and salt into the equation. Approaches that have been attempted include acoustics, laser-based systems, and photogrammetry with each of these having varying success depending on site conditions. Continue reading →

Digitally Recording A 3rd Century BC Underwater Battlefield

One of the most exciting archaeological discoveries of the last decade has been an ancient naval battlefield off the Egadi Islands in Italy. Located in over 100 metres depth and requiring robots to survey and record the artefacts, the site dates to the decisive climax of the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage in 241 BC. Previously, only two waterline warship rams had ever been discovered, but ten have been found at the battle site together with thousands of other artefacts. Continue reading →