World Trade Center Ship Discovery

While monitoring the construction of a new subterranean vehicle security center and tour bus parking facility at the World Trade Center site as part of the redevelopment effort, archaeologists at AKRF investigated the hull of a late-18th-century ship – a rare occurrence in densely-developed Lower Manhattan. The discovery garnered international media attention. In a compressed time period and surrounded by extensive construction activity, AKRF efficiently uncovered and documented the significant archaeological find and carefully tagged, inventoried, and removed each timber for conservation. Concurrently, we conducted appropriate consultation with government agencies and consulting parties and partnered with maritime archaeologists and other professionals to analyze the recovered vessel timbers and associated artifacts and prepare a comprehensive technical report. The ship is currently being preserved and reassembled by the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation at Texas A&M University. Our work has been covered by National Geographic, The New York Times, CNN, and BBC, among other major media companies.

Newsworthy

A 32-foot section of the restored vessel will be transferred to the New York State Museum in Albany.

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