A Methodological Proposal for the Management of Submerged Cultural Heritage: Study Cases from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Abstract

This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology for the management of submerged cultural heritage sites despite their worldwide location. The methodology is applied to four colonial shipwrecks located in Cartagena de Indias Bay (Colombia), two of them in the Inner Bay and two in the Bocachica sector. Five criteria are used and scored from 1 (indicating a low risk for the wreck) to 5 (high risk). The sum of the scores obtained at each criterion ranges from 5 to 25, and when the value obtained is higher than 15, management action is required. Five criteria were analyzed; (i) The historical criterion is based on the antiquity of the wreck. The ones investigated in this paper are associated with the Battle of Cartagena de Indias (A.D. 1741), having been submerged for ~280 years (all wrecks obtained a score of 3); (ii) The geographical criterion concerns the depth at which the wreck is located, which determines its accessibility. In Cartagena Bay, wrecks are situated at a water depth between 15.6 and 29.7 m (all wrecks were scored 4); (iii) The shipwreck condition criterion indicates the level of preservation, including organic and inorganic material, distinguishing among wooden hulls, ballast stones, and cannons. Obtained scores were 4 and 3 for the wrecks, respectively, located in the Inner Bay and in the Bocachica sector. (iv) The oceanographic criterion, linked to chemical and biological conditions of the water column, influences wreck conservation. All wrecks investigated scored 5. (v) The socioeconomic criterion indicates the multiple maritime and cultural activities presently taking place that might affect the wreck. In Cartagena Bay, all wrecks were scored 4. According to the total score obtained (20—Inner Bay and 19—Bocachica sector), guidelines for shipwreck conservation of cultural heritage in Cartagena Bay are proposed.