Researchers head back to Blackbeard's flagship.

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Researchers resume hunt for artifacts at QAR shipwreck site


BEAUFORT — As underwater archaeologists dive to recover 300-year-old artifacts from the shipwreck presumed to Blackbeard’s flagship, the effort to keep the public a part of the project are all 21st century.

A six-week dive expedition at the Queen Anne’s Revenge shipwreck site began this week, and anyone interested in following its progress can do so via the Facebook page Blackbeard’s-Queen Anne’s Revenge. Full information on the project is also available at the website qaronline.com.

After a day of field preparations, a Wednesday afternoon Facebook post announced the biggest news of the expedition: “Returning to USCG Fort Macon. Still need to get a mooring in but unit grids are set. The first excavation since fall 2008 will start first thing (Thursday) morning.”

The 2010 expedition will continue through October. While small dives on the wreck, such as a three-day dive in May, have allowed researchers to monitor and conduct limited work on site, this expedition marks the first excavation in two years.

According to information on the QAR website, objectives of this dive include the excavation and full recovery of artifacts from approximately 37, 5-foot by5-foot archaeological units in the midship and forward hold area.

You can read the full story HERE! And you can find out more about the QAR HERE!