Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy of copper alloy artefacts from unidentified shipwreck sites: Clues to the identity of shipwrecks on Kenn Reef, Coral Sea

This study investigates the use of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopes (ESEM) as a tool for identification of historic shipwrecks. Copper alloy fasteners from unidentified shipwreck on Kenn Reef in the Coral Sea, were sampled and analysed to determine the chemical composition of each artefact. When combining this data with known evolution of copper alloying for wooden ship construction, historical and archaeological data, the results provided valuable insight into the possible date range for these wrecks. Specifically, comparison to known wrecks in the vicinity of Kenn Reef could be linked to these previously unidentified sites. Results are promising and ESEM analyses proved to provide valuable, reliable data, yet also highlighted limitations and areas for further investigation and research.