TRANSFERWARE AT THE END OF THE WORLD: ARCHAEOLOGY OF A 19TH CENTURY SHIPPING CARGO IN THE CAPE HORN ROUTE

Lecturer:  Dolores Elkin. Dr. Elkin is an archaeologist with Argentina's National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) based at the National Institute of Anthropology.

Description: Between 2016 and 2017 an archaeological rescue project was implemented after the accidental discovery on the coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina of what looked like a historic ship´s cargo. The assemblage was formed by a group of crates mainly containing 19th century English ceramics. Among the crates were transfer decorated pieces which allowed the first chronological and cultural assessment of the site. This lecture will provide a detailed illustration of the transferware items found and reveal various research strands related to the commercial exportation of British goods along the Cape Horn route.

Speaker Bio: Dolores Elkin graduated with a Doctoral degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 1996. That same year, she created the first Underwater Archaeology Program in Argentina. The goal was to initiate research of underwater archaeological sites as well as to create public awareness of their significant cultural heritage.

A professor at both the University of Buenos Aires and the National University of the Central Province of Buenos Aires, Dr. Elkin has lectured on both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As an experienced diver, she engages with the sport and professional diving community and fosters joint efforts to preserve Argentina’s submerged cultural heritage.