Page 36 - Kennemerland VOC ship, 1664 - Published Reports

NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 3.2
the Kennemerland. After many intensive searches, in both 1971 and 1973, we are quite certain that there are no artefacts near them that can be regarded as either certainly, or even possibly, Dutch; for example, there are no Overijsslesde Steen. Of course, if this theory is accepted the problem remains of where these items came from; the only possible clue here lies in a persistent local tradition of two ancient wrecks in the Out Skerries, one of which is said by some to have been Spanish.
Regarding the distribution of the smaller artefacts within the excavated areas, more work is needed before coherent results can be presented. However, a few patterns have already emerged. The only suggestion that part of the ship’s fabric has survived appeared in the area immediately to the south of areas F and D, where surface inspection uncovered much wood, which was not investigated further. Its present position probably reflects no more than the factors of preservation; certainly the pieces of lead sheeting which were also found, and which had probably been used on the hull, were concentrated in area A. A mass of matted fibre, which was probably oakum, found in the same area as the wood may well be more relevant here. A very interesting concentration of artefacts was observed on the eastern side of area A, all of which are concerned with light arms. Firstly, the bulk of the 3000 or so large lead shot recovered came from this area, as did most of the fine shot as well. Then there were the three pairs of shot moulds, designed for making this fine shot, which were also dis- covered in this area. With considerable less certainty one could go further and associate
the crucibles found close by with the melting down of the lead ready for casting. Finally, the pewter funnel found in the vicinity can be interpreted on the basis of its association as a powder funnel from the armoury.
Another close association can be observed in the northern part of area A, since it was here that the three complete flagons were found in 1971, one of which was still full of mercury when it was lifted, while another still had traces of mercury in it. The bedrock in this area was certainly densely covered with droplets of quicksilver, so that one must suspectthatoneofthetwochestsofquicksilver listed as being on board landed in this area, and subsequently disintegrated. Perhaps another scattered chest group is indicated by the close association of tobacco boxes, dice, coins, thimbles, cheap jewellery, and sewing implements found in area F; with a little imagination one can see this group as a
sailor’s private chest.
Artefacts recovered
326 finds or groups of finds were raised during the 1973 season of excavation, and work is far from complete on their treatment and assessment. For this interim report, some of the more interesting information that is already available will be presented, grouping the artefacts accordingto their probable status on board the ship. Inevitably, the division of some of the material must be arbitrary, especially as between personal possessions and cargo, but we consider the attempt worth making as a first step in the functional analysis of the artefacts.
OE 0:II
262
92 04
Figure 4. Cannon 6.
m