The Queen Anne's Revenge is the only known shipwreck of the early eighteenth century in the Beaufort Inlet that matches the evidence. Finding La Concorde's bell would be definitive. So far, the artifacts all fit in the pre-1718 date. Extensive archaeological excavation and research should compile enough evidence to rule out any other possibility. Answer - In addition to the 1709 bell, the blunderbuss, pewter plates and deep sea sounding weight recovered in 1997, this year the excavation has produced parts of a brass scientific instrument, shards of a large earthenware storage jar, numerous musket balls and grape shot, more ship's fittings, and a major portion of hull. .
Excavation is done in ten-foot square units by divers in full scuba gear.
In some squares, several feet of sand have been removed using hand fanning , a dredge and an air lift. Artifacts and features are photographed, plotted on a map, drawn and recorded by elevations. The whole excavation is being extensively videotaped. Answer - The wreck is under the jurisdiction of the state of North Carolina, which has established a restricted zone around the site, monitored by a sophisticated electronic surveillance system using a camera and radar linked by a computer to local law enforcement officials. Answer - It is a cooperative effort by the state of North Carolina with Intersal, Inc., and Maritime Research Institute, the private corporations that discovered the wreck.