The archaeology of piracy can be a way to better understand the way of life of these lawless seafarers. Underdeveloped in France and Europe, this recent theme in archaeology has been leading research and archaeological excavations for almost 50 years between the east coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean where several pirate wrecks have been discovered and identified. These scientific programs provide key information for better understanding these sailors, former military or merchants, who were drawn to a more independent life.
A team of French and international researchers thus decided to create in 2019 a research program dedicated to this archaeology of piracy from the 17th-18th centuries with the aim of promoting investigations in the field and future research (archaeological missions and scientific publications). In order to have legal support, this research program is based on the establishment of an association ADLP - Archaeology of Piracy created in September 2019.
The underwater archaeology team of the 'Speaker 2021' expedition is ready to dive to explore the wreck.
ADLP
To date, fewer than ten pirate wrecks from the 17th-18th centuries have been discovered and confirmed by underwater archaeology. Their identification relies on a comprehensive examination of archived documentation and accounts from seafarers, depending on the targeted geographical area. These wrecks are located along the east coast of the United States, in the Caribbean Sea, along the Brazilian coast, and in the Indian Ocean. Other wrecks are currently being researched or identified in the Strait of Magellan, near the Brazilian coasts, or along the French Atlantic coasts.
Among the main wrecks found, two have been excavated off the east coast of North America: the Whydah Gally (1717) and the Queen Anne’s Revenge (1718). In Caribbean waters, the wrecks of the Quedah Merchant (1699) and the Great Ranger (1722) have been discovered. In the Indian Ocean, a wreck thought to be the Fiery Dragon (1721) but which currently appears unidentified, was found in the bay of Ambodifotatra on Sainte-Marie Island in Madagascar, as well as the Speaker (1702) on the east coast of Mauritius.
In southern Brazil, two pirate wrecks have been discovered. The first was located in the 1960s near Cotinga Island. Archives mention a ship that supposedly sank in 1718, and some elements yet to be confirmed could identify this ship as La Louise of the pirate Olivier Levasseur, known as La Buse. The second wreck was discovered near Santa Catarina Island. Historical and archaeological research led to the identification in 2004 of a Spanish ship that sank in 1687, probably the Aranzazu, first captured by the English pirate Edward Davis and then by the privateer Thomas Prince, or Frins.
These wrecks are all linked to a famous pirate: Samuel Bellamy, Edward Teach alias Blackbeard, William Kidd, Bartholomew Roberts, Christopher Condent (alias William Condon or Edward Congdon), and John Bowen.
Map of identified pirate wrecks to date around the world, dated to the 17th and 18th centuries.
In ongoing development, the terrestrial investigations aim to detect coastal occupations in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean related to buccaneering establishments. For example, on the island of Saint Martin, in 2016, excavations revealed what appears to be an ephemeral buccaneer camp, used as a careening area. This archaeological campaign in the Antilles resonates with our recent work on the pirate hideout of Sainte-Marie island in Madagascar.
However, it is the research targeting the defensive systems of the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, in coastal contexts related to piracy, that proves to be the most promising. In this regard, the forts of Saint-Domingue, particularly those on Tortuga island for the Caribbean, as well as to a lesser extent on Sainte-Marie island in Madagascar, have already been highlighted thanks to hagiographic sources, archives, and plans made in the 17th-18th centuries.
The organization of future exploration and prospecting missions should offer significant archaeological perspectives for these high places of piracy.
This oil painting from 1920 depicts Blackbeard during his last battle against the troops of Robert Maynard in 1718.
J. L. G. Ferris
