Papers by Massimiliano Ditta
Sailing through History. Reading the Past – Imagining the Future: Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Boat & Ship Archaeology ISBSA 16, 2024
At the ISBSA 15 in Marseille, the authors presented the preliminary results from the excavation o... more At the ISBSA 15 in Marseille, the authors presented the preliminary results from the excavation of a Medieval cargo vessel in the port of Wismar (Germany), built from oak and pine sourced from western Sweden in the period AD 1184-1190. Since then, the full documentation of the wreck has been completed, and the timbers are currently undergoing conservation treatment. As the next step, a minimum reconstruction of the hull form was carried out to analyse the ship's design and construction. This paper discusses the methodology used for the archaeological reconstruction and presents the results of the hull analysis. Finally, the Wismar ship is compared with contemporary ship finds intending to explore its place in the development of the sailing cargo vessel in the 12th and 13th centuries.
International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2023
In December 2017, archaeologists from the State Service for Culture and Monuments in Mecklenburg ... more In December 2017, archaeologists from the State Service for Culture and Monuments in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, Germany, excavated the remains of a clinker-built cargo vessel in the seaport of Wismar, one of three medieval shipwrecks found during the extension of the port. With riveted outer planking and the presence of bitis, the wreck can be placed in the Nordic clinker shipbuilding tradition. It was built from oak and pine sourced from western Sweden in the period AD 1184–90. The construction shows striking similarities with a number of large 12th-century AD cargo vessels found in northern Germany and Scandinavia.
Heritage Science, 2020
Every year, maritime archaeologists around the globe are faced with the daunting task of recordin... more Every year, maritime archaeologists around the globe are faced with the daunting task of recording hundreds, if not thousands, of individual ship timbers. The in-depth recording of ship timbers is a process which is both challenging and laborious, but it is an indispensable step in order to fully understand the construction of the ship the timbers formed a part of, and as archaeologists it is our duty to document all the information these complex artefacts hold to the best of our abilities. In this article, the authors first provide an overview of the methods currently in use for ship timber recording, namely 2D scaled drawing, 2D tracing, 3D contact digitising and 3D scanning. The respective advantages and limitations of these methods are then discussed in light of the various scientific and practical considerations that go into choosing a recording method for a project. Next, a new approach to ship timber recording, termed the “3D annotated scans method”, is introduced and discuss...
Archaeonautica 21. Open Sea / Closed Sea. Local and Inter-Regional Traditions in Shipbuilding (Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Symposium on Boat and Ship Archaeology, Marseille 2018), 2021
In December 2017, maritime archaeologists from the state department for archaeology in Mecklenbur... more In December 2017, maritime archaeologists from the state department for archaeology in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania excavated, recovered, and documented a shipwreck in the seaport of Wismar. The wreck of a clinker-built cargo vessel was one of three medieval vessels found during the extension of the commercial port. With riveted outer planking and the presence of bitis, the wreck can be placed in the Nordic shipbuilding tradition. The results of the dendrochronological analysis show that the vessel was built from oak and pine sourced from western Sweden in the period AD 1184-1190. The construction shows striking similarities with a number of large 12th century cargo vessels found in northern Germany and Scandinavia.
Skyllis,, 30 Jahre DEGUWA 20 Jahrgange Skyllis, 2020
In 2008, a naval rostrum was found in a few meters of water off Acqualadroni. Dated in the first ... more In 2008, a naval rostrum was found in a few meters of water off Acqualadroni. Dated in the first century BC, it was then backdated between the middle and the end of the 3 rd century BC. In this study, we come back to the internal structure of the rostrum, to the rostrum-bow connection, and to the method of fusion of the rostrum. The results confirm the complexity of the rostrum-ship ensemble, and open the door to new interpretations.
Heritage Science, 2020
Every year, maritime archaeologists around the globe are faced with the daunting task of recordin... more Every year, maritime archaeologists around the globe are faced with the daunting task of recording hundreds, if not thousands, of individual ship timbers. The in-depth recording of ship timbers is a process which is both challenging and laborious, but it is an indispensable step in order to fully understand the construction of the ship the timbers formed a part of, and as archaeologists it is our duty to document all the information these complex artefacts hold to the best of our abilities. In this article, the authors first provide an overview of the methods currently in use for ship timber recording, namely 2D scaled drawing, 2D tracing, 3D contact digitising and 3D scanning. The respective advantages and limitations of these methods are then discussed in light of the various scientific and practical considerations that go into choosing a recording method for a project. Next, a new approach to ship timber recording, termed the “3D annotated scans method”, is introduced and discussed using a recent case study in northern Germany. At its core the method consists of two phases; a 3D scanning phase in which the timber is scanned in 3D, followed by a 3D annotation phase in which the recorder interprets the timber by tracing diagnostic features such as fasteners and toolmarks directly onto the timber’s digital model. The authors conclude that this new approach represents an improvement over current methods—both in terms of the quality of the scientific outputs and in terms of recording efficiency—and that, besides being implemented for the recording of ship timbers, the same method can also be used for a wide range of other heritage applications.
Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Jun 21, 2016
Although the design and construction of wooden merchant vessels in the nineteenth century is gene... more Although the design and construction of wooden merchant vessels in the nineteenth century is generally considered to be well understood, the excavation and subsequent analysis of the wreck of the wooden Finnish topsail schooner Pettu (1865) revealed a number of unexpected features, which prompted the authors to take a closer look at the ship. In the following study, it will be attempted to gain an insight into the society that produced and used the merchant vessel through a detailed analysis of its construction and an investigation into the concept behind its design. The wreck of the Pettu, which, considering its loss in 1893, is barely covered by the 100 year rule in Danish heritage legislation, is a good example for the archaeological potential of even relatively 'modern' wreck sites, adding to their significance.
CONDITION.2015 Conservation and Digitalization - Conference Proceedings, Feb 2016
Evaluating the benefits of different 3D methods for the monitoring of a large archaeological obje... more Evaluating the benefits of different 3D methods for the monitoring of a large archaeological object, under the direction of PDH Student and Restoration professional A. Colson (Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum)
Ågabet Wreck, Langeland, 2013
Esbjerg Maritime Archaeology Reports are an internally peer reviewed series published by Maritime... more Esbjerg Maritime Archaeology Reports are an internally peer reviewed series published by Maritime Archaeology Programme University of Southern Denmark www.maritimearchaeology.dk under supervision of series editor Thijs Maarleveld
The authors would like to thank the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the very friendly and supportiv... more The authors would like to thank the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the very friendly and supportive staff, especially Frode Kvalø, Dag Naevestad and Jørgen Johannessen for facilitating and supporting the field school in Skjernøysund. We are also indebted to Marja Liisa Petrelius Grue for planting the idea of a field school in Norway and establishing the first contact.
"On February 14th , 2012, the Maritime Archaeology Programme of the University of Southern Denmar... more "On February 14th , 2012, the Maritime Archaeology Programme of the University of Southern Denmark (MAP) was approached by Dr Martin Segschneider from the Archäologisches landesamt Schleswig Holstein (ALSH) and asked to record and assess a number of ship timbers,which were kept in the yard of the WasserundSchiffahrtsamt Cuxhaven (WSA)
The timbers had been lifted accidentally by the WSA during the recovery of a drifted buoy in theriver Elbe near St. Margarethen.
The survey aimed at assessing the timbers and producing a short report. In order to do so, a written description of the wreck timbers was supplemented with photographs. As the wreck timbers consisted of two structurally intact timber sections, it was decided to use a total station for three-dimensional recording and also carry out a photogrammetry trial."
Sicilia Archeologica 106, 2012
dal fondale prevalentemente sabbioso e con batimetria massima intorno a 40 metri. In corrisponden... more dal fondale prevalentemente sabbioso e con batimetria massima intorno a 40 metri. In corrispondenza del moderno abitato si estende una grande spiaggia e se si considera che tale zona è naturalmente protetta dai venti da S a W e da W a N, è ben comprensibile la fortuna che ebbe fin dall'antichità come riparo per le navi in transito.
Unpublished Dissertations by Massimiliano Ditta
Colour and Space in Cultural Heritage (COSCH): Short Term Scientific Mission, COST TD1201
During the period of activity of Ole Judichær (1690-1727), sources in the form of lines plans, sh... more During the period of activity of Ole Judichær (1690-1727), sources in the form of lines plans, ship models and construction documentation are preserved in the Danish National Archives and the Royal Danish Naval Museum. While some of these sources have been studied in other contexts, they have not been studied in conjunction. Using as study case the model of Prinz Wilhelm, the first ship to have been officially designed by Judichær, in conjunction with sources in form of lines plans and historical documents, and applying archaeological methodologies, an explorative study of the construction and design of a Danish warship at the end of the 17th century is possible.
Books by Massimiliano Ditta
This volume presents the results of the analysis of the Princes Channel Wreck, a 16th-century mer... more This volume presents the results of the analysis of the Princes Channel Wreck, a 16th-century merchant vessel, later to be termed the Gresham Ship, a working name assigned to the wreck after the English merchant and financier Sir Thomas Gresham, the owner of the gun foundry which produced one of the guns found on
board.
As yet, little is known about the voyages this ship undertook in its lifetime or the events that led to its loss in the Thames Estuary, but its final journey, from excavation to its current and hopefully last resting place, was certainly long and adventurous. Between 2004 and 2012 the wreck travelled from the Port of London Authority docks in Gravesend to Horsea Lake in Portsmouth and later to the Stoney Cove National Diving Centre in Leicestershire.
This journey is also reflected in the long and just as adventurous process of analysis and finally publication. The current volume is the result of a series of field schools and surveys, university courses and student projects as well as specialist analyses, involving students, staff and researchers from a wide range of institutions, including the University of Southern Denmark and University College London.
This volume describes the discovery, and the sequence and methodology of the archaeological interventions, as well as the wreck and related armament. Some aspects, such as reconstruction and hull design, as well as a
comparative analysis of the ship and its construction, are dealt with extensively, while others, such as archival research into the history and loss of the ship still remain to be considered and offer potential for future research.
The theme of the work is the application of techniques from naval architecture on ancient boats (... more The theme of the work is the application of techniques from naval architecture on ancient boats (historical and archaeological) trough the use of specific analysis software and towing tank testing of in-scale models.
Conference Presentations by Massimiliano Ditta
Subsequently to the Maritime Archaeology Programme (university of Southern Denmark) fieldschool 2... more Subsequently to the Maritime Archaeology Programme (university of Southern Denmark) fieldschool 2012 on the wreck of the Finnish Schooner Pettu, in order to produce a means for the knowledge acquisition aiming to the public, it has been realized what can be defined as an “Annoted Interactive Walking-trough”. Not only a virtual model of the site but also an interpretative virtual model of the ship as it was supposed to be, consequential to the post-excavation speculations.
The reconstructed virtual model of Pettu in Rhino and the photogrammetric 3-dimensional model wreck site have been inserted in an interactive virtual space using the freeware version of the game engine Unity 3D, resulting in an immersive interactive tour of the ship supplemented with information that cannot be transferred only through the virtual model in itself but set in the visual context. The following paper aims to illustrate the methodological procedures and theories on cognitive gain from virtual environments, reasons and solutions adopted in the creation of the web application.
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Papers by Massimiliano Ditta
The timbers had been lifted accidentally by the WSA during the recovery of a drifted buoy in theriver Elbe near St. Margarethen.
The survey aimed at assessing the timbers and producing a short report. In order to do so, a written description of the wreck timbers was supplemented with photographs. As the wreck timbers consisted of two structurally intact timber sections, it was decided to use a total station for three-dimensional recording and also carry out a photogrammetry trial."
Unpublished Dissertations by Massimiliano Ditta
Books by Massimiliano Ditta
board.
As yet, little is known about the voyages this ship undertook in its lifetime or the events that led to its loss in the Thames Estuary, but its final journey, from excavation to its current and hopefully last resting place, was certainly long and adventurous. Between 2004 and 2012 the wreck travelled from the Port of London Authority docks in Gravesend to Horsea Lake in Portsmouth and later to the Stoney Cove National Diving Centre in Leicestershire.
This journey is also reflected in the long and just as adventurous process of analysis and finally publication. The current volume is the result of a series of field schools and surveys, university courses and student projects as well as specialist analyses, involving students, staff and researchers from a wide range of institutions, including the University of Southern Denmark and University College London.
This volume describes the discovery, and the sequence and methodology of the archaeological interventions, as well as the wreck and related armament. Some aspects, such as reconstruction and hull design, as well as a
comparative analysis of the ship and its construction, are dealt with extensively, while others, such as archival research into the history and loss of the ship still remain to be considered and offer potential for future research.
Conference Presentations by Massimiliano Ditta
The reconstructed virtual model of Pettu in Rhino and the photogrammetric 3-dimensional model wreck site have been inserted in an interactive virtual space using the freeware version of the game engine Unity 3D, resulting in an immersive interactive tour of the ship supplemented with information that cannot be transferred only through the virtual model in itself but set in the visual context. The following paper aims to illustrate the methodological procedures and theories on cognitive gain from virtual environments, reasons and solutions adopted in the creation of the web application.
The timbers had been lifted accidentally by the WSA during the recovery of a drifted buoy in theriver Elbe near St. Margarethen.
The survey aimed at assessing the timbers and producing a short report. In order to do so, a written description of the wreck timbers was supplemented with photographs. As the wreck timbers consisted of two structurally intact timber sections, it was decided to use a total station for three-dimensional recording and also carry out a photogrammetry trial."
board.
As yet, little is known about the voyages this ship undertook in its lifetime or the events that led to its loss in the Thames Estuary, but its final journey, from excavation to its current and hopefully last resting place, was certainly long and adventurous. Between 2004 and 2012 the wreck travelled from the Port of London Authority docks in Gravesend to Horsea Lake in Portsmouth and later to the Stoney Cove National Diving Centre in Leicestershire.
This journey is also reflected in the long and just as adventurous process of analysis and finally publication. The current volume is the result of a series of field schools and surveys, university courses and student projects as well as specialist analyses, involving students, staff and researchers from a wide range of institutions, including the University of Southern Denmark and University College London.
This volume describes the discovery, and the sequence and methodology of the archaeological interventions, as well as the wreck and related armament. Some aspects, such as reconstruction and hull design, as well as a
comparative analysis of the ship and its construction, are dealt with extensively, while others, such as archival research into the history and loss of the ship still remain to be considered and offer potential for future research.
The reconstructed virtual model of Pettu in Rhino and the photogrammetric 3-dimensional model wreck site have been inserted in an interactive virtual space using the freeware version of the game engine Unity 3D, resulting in an immersive interactive tour of the ship supplemented with information that cannot be transferred only through the virtual model in itself but set in the visual context. The following paper aims to illustrate the methodological procedures and theories on cognitive gain from virtual environments, reasons and solutions adopted in the creation of the web application.