The Diaries
 
November 20th 2008
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11/29 - 11/30
12/01 - 12/02
- Metal everywhere -  

Lights over the sea
Photo : Max GUEROUT

This morning, with dawns, we see a ship at the horizon, it approaches quickly and we identify one of the patrol craft of the Navy. It passes to the north of the island, and then puts on course towards the North West, towards Madagascar? We think of our shipwrecked men watching for, year after year, the appearance of a sail.
We brought the last hand to the general plan of the site, in spite of a natural tendency to go see a little further how the things are presented, the situation finally became stable. The last layers of sediment are pickled under a blazing sun. Tomorrow will be for us the occasion of last measurements, the photographs and a last examination of the fitting of these constructions which seem to obey to any general logic, but what we seek however found the order of construction.

Coral
Photo : Jean-François REBEYROTTE

To make this analysis, the structure of the walls, their relations, but also the study of the interior and external sedimentary layers should help us.
The omnipresence of iron, copper and, to a lesser measure, lead is also a matter of astonishment. Iron is very abundant on a ship out of wood like “l’Utile”, the framework nails of all dimensions are innumerable, we conceive well that the largest can be used to poker, peak, of hammer, because their square head is massive, peace carrier to pierce the copper…

Some of them are planted vertically in the ground without us knowing exactly why, the smallest are found in the archaeological layer at the same time as the ashes, indicating that the wood, coming from the wreck, was used to feed the fire. But of the iron blades of all dimensions, of the iron ankles used for the assembly of the frames are also found in great numbers. It is now necessary for us excavate in the quotes of the building and the inventories of weaponry to try to find the origin of it.
The copper, we already spoke about it, was used mainly for fixing the containers recovered on “l’Utile” and to make clever spoons of all sizes.

Ball of ropes, rolled by the sea
Photo : Max GUEROUT

But, the remains of all kinds, present a little everywhere, testify to a permanent “industry”.
The lead, easily melted, was used to make large basins and their lids. It is necessary for us to try to understand the techniques used to melt. It seems that after the melt, the interior was hammered to equalize the surface.

Contrary, we are surprised of the few ceramics and glassware found until now and, generally, of few nonutility objects recovered by the survivors.
We feel good, with this report, that as of the first moments, all the energy of the survivors was concentrated to recover in priority what could help them to survive.

To give a shovel, trowel and small brushing under the sun, we consume a great quantity of water, and we start worrying while looking at the stock which decreases. Will it be necessary to drink the coconuts milk?!
We also begin speaking about the arrival of a Mauritian researcher, who would come to concretize the project of the Franco-Mauritian collaboration, worked out by the two governments.