In the early 1980s the author was asked to investigate the newly discovered wreck of the Xantho , an iron screw steamship active off the Australian coast during the period 1848 to 1872, and to develop a strategy to stop the looting that was occurring at the site. This relatively straightforward assignment turned into a long-term research program for applying maritime archaeology to the conservation of iron-hulled wrecks.

Inhalt
Xantho and Broadhurst in context.- XanthoThe transformations.- The wreck examined.- Site formation processes.- The investigation continues in the archives.- Excavations at the site.- Excavation in the laboratory.- Conclusion.