Astrolabes

Sacramento B and the last voyage of the Galleon

Abstract

In the mid-seventies of 20th century, the Galleon Sacramento wreckage was discovery, shipwrecked in 1668, on the Bahia state coastal area. It came to light many weapons, instruments and artifacts, and also a big rouse to the Brazilian underwater archeology by making possible practice possibilities on research for ship equipment, employment and construction, as well as on the individual and social groups related. Among many discovered objects, two Portuguese nautical astrolabes were rescued on the Galleon Sacramento archaeological site. One of which is the object study in the present article, named Sacramento B. Thus, starting from an overview study of the astrolabe as a fundamental recognized item for the oceanic navigations’ development between 15th and 17th centuries, the research focuses on Galleon’s slump case. Then examine, exclusively, the recovered instrument from that archaeological site. Based on a qualitative methodology – literature review, we attempt to intertwine the subjects to achieve the goal of highlighting the astrolabe importance in the oceanic navigation’s context. Furthermore, providing a reflection on the underwater archeology relevance using a particular wreck, as well as gathering information about one of the items that came to symbolize its class of instruments — a museum piece. Additionally, it brings the result of the work of seafarer’s generations.