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The Ships that Changed History

This symposium brings together four world-renowned scholars to give multiple public lectures on four of the most significant and celebrated shipwreck finds of the last half century. The event is free and open to the public; it will be held on April 5-6 2017 in Texas A&M University’s Reed Arena, followed by the Texas A&M University Parents’ Weekend and the annual Shipwreck Weekend on April 8, featuring student presentations and an open house of the Nautical Archaeology Program, the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation Laboratories, and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology.

Click here to view videos of the lectures.

ULUBURUN LATE BRONZE AGE SHIPWRECK

Dr. Cemal Pulak
Professor, Texas A&M University
Wednesday, April 5 2017
2:00-4:00 pm

Learn more about the Uluburun Shipwreck.

KING HENRY VIII’S FLAGSHIP, MARY ROSE

Christopher Dobbs
Head of Interpretation & Maritime Archaeology, Mary Rose Trust
Thursday, April 6 2017
9:00-11:00 am

Learn more about Mary Rose.

KING GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS’ WARSHIP, VASA

Dr. Fred Hocker
Director of Research, Vasa Museet
Thursday, April 6 2017
1:00-2:30 pm

Learn more about Vasa.

EXPLORER ROBERT DE LA SALLE’S SHIP, LA BELLE

Dr. James Bruseth
Guest Curator, Bullock Texas State Museum | Former Director, Archaeology Division,
Texas Historical Commission
Thursday, April 6 2017
3:00-5:00 pm

Learn more about La Belle.

Symposium Schedule

Wednesday, April 5 2017

9:00 – 11:00 am
An overview of the significance of the Uluburun ship, Mary Rose, Vasa, and La Belle

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Uluburun Shipwreck: Cemal Pulak, Professor (Texas A&M University)

Thursday, April 6 2017

9:00 – 11:00 am
Mary Rose: Christopher Dobbs, Head of Interpretation and Maritime Archaeology (Mary Rose Trust)

1:00 – 2:30 pm
Vasa: Frederick Hocker, Director of Research (Vasa Museet)

3:00 – 5:00 pm
La Belle: James Bruseth, Director of Archaeology (Texas Historical Commission)

Saturday, April 8 2017 – Shipwreck Weekend

9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Graduate student presentations of their thesis and dissertation research

1:00 – 4:00 pm
Open house in the Texas A&M University Anthropology Building showcasing the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation Laboratories, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology offices and archives, and the Nautical Archaeology Program facilities

The symposium will coincide with the release, by Texas A&M University Press, of the book, La Belle: The Archaeology of a Seventeenth-Century Ship of New World Colonization by James E. Bruseth, Amy A.Borgens, Bradford M. Jones, and Eric D. Ray. This book, along with other publications of the Texas A&M University Press and Ed Rachal Foundation Nautical Archaeology Series will be available for purchase.