Claude Duthuit (1931-2011)
Underwater Archaeologist, Explorer, and INA Director
INA is proud to announce the establishment of a $25,000 Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant to be awarded annually to a single underwater archaeological project that captures the innovative, bold, and dedicated spirit of Claude – a pioneer in the field of nautical archaeology.
Claude Duthuit, Pioneer of Nautical Archaeology and INA Legacy
In 1960, Claude Duthuit accompanied Dr. George Bass on his first dive to survey the 13th century shipwreck at Cape Gelidonya, the project that would both introduce and define the field of nautical archaeology to the world. Since then, Claude remained an invaluable sponsor and active participant for INA, serving as chief diver during the excavations at Yassıada and developing archaeological techniques now considered standard. It was Claude who first suggested to George a method of mapping seabed remains in three dimensions using stereophotography, a novel concept still applied to site recording today. During the 51 years Claude contributed to nautical archaeology, 30 of which he served as an INA Director, he epitomized the values of commitment, innovation, and willingness to take risks.
Recipients of the Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant
2017 Nicholas Budsberg: Shipwreck Excavation at Highbourne Cay, Bahamas
The 2017 Claude Duthuit Archaeology grant was awarded to Nicholas Budsberg to excavate what may be the earliest known European ship in the Americas, dated to the beginning of the Age of Exploration (1492-1520). In 1986 INA partially excavated the wreck, which is likely either an Iberian caravel or nao, but modern methods will ensure an improved study of the hull. Read more about the history of INA work at this site on the Highbourne Cay Iberian Shipwreck project page.
2016 Carolyn Kennedy: Shelburne Shipyard Steamboat Graveyard Project
The 2016 Claude Duthuit Archaeology grant was awarded to Carolyn Kennedy for the Shelburne Shipyard Steamboat Graveyard Project. Miss Kennedy is a third year Ph.D. student at TAMU. The project entails the study of four steamboat hulls that currently lie in Shelburne Shipyard, Lake Champlain, Vermont. These wrecks are the remains of passenger steamboats once owned by the Champlain Transportation Company (1826-Present).
2015 Dave Ruff: Bay of Kastela Excavation
The 2015 Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant was awarded to Dave Ruff, a fourth-year Ph.D. student at Texas A&M, to support excavation of a Roman ship in the Bay of Kastela, Croatia. Dave was co-director of the excavation with Dr. Irena Radic-Rossi of the University of Zadar, Croatia. Irena is also an adjunct professor at Texas A&M. Dave will be working on the ship’s reconstruction for his dissertation. Learn more about the Bay of Kastela Excavation.
2014 Dr. Kroum Batchvarov: The Rockley Bay Shipwreck Survey
Dr. Batchvarov obtained his Masters of Arts and doctorate from the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University in 2002 and 2009, respectively. He has worked on INA projects including the excavation at Tektaş Burnu, Turkey, and the western steamboat Heroine, between Texas and Oklahoma. Dr. Batchvarov was the first recipient of INA’s Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant for his work in Rockley Bay, Tobago, where he and his team discovered a 17th-century Dutch ship believed to be the Huis de Kreuningen. Learn more about the Rockley Bay Shipwreck Survey.
Applying for the Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant
If you would like your project to be considered for the Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant you must complete and submit an INA Project Proposal form, available on the Project Proposals page. Section XII of this form pertains to the grant.
