David Moore, an esteemed American archaeologist and historian, has made a profound impact on the field of maritime archaeology through his groundbreaking work on the Queen Anne's Revenge Shipwreck Project. As the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard, the Queen Anne's Revenge has captivated the imagination of many, and Moore's tireless efforts have shed new light on this fascinating piece of history.
Moore's expertise extends beyond the Queen Anne's Revenge, as he has also worked on the 1622 Spanish treasure fleet shipwreck located near the Dry Tortugas. This remarkable discovery, made in 1332 feet of water, yielded an array of cultural artifacts, including olive jars, copper, gold, silver, glass, and other treasures.
In addition to his work on the Queen Anne's Revenge and the Spanish treasure fleet, Moore served as project archaeologist for the team that excavated the Henrietta Marie, a slave ship that sank off the coast of Florida in the 18th century. Moore's discovery of the watch bell in 1983 positively identified the shipwreck, and the subsequent excavation has yielded an astonishing 7,000 objects, including over 30,000 glass beads, the largest collection of artifacts known from a slave ship.
The Henrietta Marie wreck site has also revealed a number of disturbing and poignant artifacts, including over 80 bilboes, which were used to shackle pairs of slaves together. Other items found at the wreck site include trade goods left over from trading for captives in Africa, goods acquired in Africa in addition to captives, and gear belonging to the ship and crew.
