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How did George Bass use stereophotographs to map underwater shipwrecks?
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undersea exploration
Learn about the pioneering life and work of American oceanographer and explorer Sylvia Earle.
George Bass, a pioneer in underwater archaeology, developed a method to map shipwrecks photogrammetrically using stereophotographs.1
This technique involves using ordinary cameras in pairs to capture stereoscopic pictures of underwater structures. By taking two overlapping photographs of the same site from slightly different positions, researchers can create a three-dimensional representation of the wreckage. This process allows for precise mapping and documentation of archaeological sites, which is essential for studying submerged historical remains. Bass notably employed these photogrammetric techniques during his work on a Byzantine wreck at Yassı Ada starting in 1961.21