Author Archives: Safwan Jalil

(GPS) Global positioning system

By Wan Jalil (MMA student)

Right after finding a site or an artefact, it should be in archaeologist mind-set to plot its location in any way possible. This could be done in many ways: by jotting it down on a map, putting a marker on it or by visual transit. However, with the advance in technology, plotting could be done by just a simple press of a button. Introducing the GPS device. The Global Positioning System or GPS is a satellite-based navigation system which is basically made up of a network of 24 satellites that orbit the earth around a specific time and route (Bowens 2009: 93). The GPS was originally intended for military uses, but in the 1980s, the United States government made the system accessible for public use.

Flinders University GPS unit

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Port MacDonnell: The Jetty and The Unknown Shipwreck

By Safwan Jalil (MMA student)

This is about the Maritime Archaeology Field School on Port MacDonnell, South Australia from 3 to 11 July. This is my first time ever doing an archaeological field school in Australia. The field school was supervised by two Flinders University staff: Wendy Van Duivenvoorde and Jennifer McKinnon. Twelve students were in this field school altogether, some doing it as volunteers while others doing it as a class subject.

The Unknown Shipwreck

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