Field Trip in Penghu

The field practicum was conducted from November 16th to November 18th, 2025. Students traveled to Penghu to participate in a three-day intensive training program. The curriculum included demonstrations of underwater survey instruments, simulated underwater site-mapping exercises, and extended lectures on maritime history.

Day 1:

Students visited the Penghu Underwater Archaeology Field Station, stepping directly into the frontline environment of underwater archaeological operations. They were introduced to survey equipment and instruments and learned about the daily workflow of the underwater archaeology team. Through demonstrations of underwater detection instruments by team members, students observed how scientific instruments discussed in class are applied in actual underwater investigations. They also had the opportunity to try on diving gear, gaining an understanding of the functions and purposes of various pieces of equipment.

Day 2:

Professor Tsang conducted a simulated underwater site-mapping workshop. A canvas printed with a ship outline was laid out to represent a shipwreck resting on the seabed. Students were guided in establishing datum points and baselines, and applied triangulation and offset measurement methods learned in class to record and draw the ship’s structure to scale on grid paper. This exercise enabled students to develop practical skills in underwater archaeological mapping.

Day 3:

Professor Chen Kuo-Tung from Academia Sinica was invited to expand upon the course content by delivering lectures on maritime history, modern navigation, and research related to maritime disasters and shipwreck incidents in Penghu. Using SS Bokhara as a case study, he conducted an in-depth analysis of historical documents, helping students gain a deeper understanding of the historical contexts surrounding shipwrecks.