About

Christopher Dostal is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in the College of Arts and Sciences, holding the Frederick R. Mayers Professorship in Nautical Archaeology II. He serves as the Director of the Conservation Research Laboratory, the Analytical Archaeology Laboratory, and the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation. His research interests include historical-period maritime archaeology in North America and Western Europe, the conservation and long-term preservation of waterlogged archaeological artifacts, in situ preservation and documentation techniques for underwater archaeological sites, X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis of archaeological artifacts, and digital imaging and 3D modeling of archaeological artifacts. Dostal earned his PhD and MA from Texas A&M University in 2017 and 2015, respectively, and his BA from the University of Colorado in 2011. His scholarly work includes numerous publications on maritime archaeology, artifact conservation, and digital reconstruction of shipwrecks. His contributions focus on improving conservation techniques for marine artifacts, analyzing archaeological materials, and advancing digital methods for documenting and reconstructing maritime archaeological sites.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Programming language
• History
• Human–computer interaction
• Construction engineering
• Engineering
• Art
• Architectural engineering
• Marine engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Visual arts
• Engineering drawing
• Computer graphics (images)
• Civil engineering
• Archaeology

Selected publications

• Managing Corrosion Risks in Underwater Cultural Heritage: A Preventive Conservation Strategy for the Belinho I Shipwreck Pewter Assemblage (Esposende, Portugal)

  Heritage · 2026-05-18

  articleOpen access

  This paper addresses corrosion risk management for pewter objects from the Belinho I shipwreck (Esposende, Portugal). A collaborative framework was established, involving community stakeholders during the critical post-recovery phase, leading to the development of both field community and laboratory preventive conservation protocols. During the second phase of the laboratory protocol, a crowned-hammer hallmark was identified, consistent with others in the assemblage. The third phase of the laboratory protocol implemented a progressive sequence of passivation baths guided by Pourbaix diagrams and systematic monitoring of physicochemical parameters (Eh, pH, conductivity, and temperature). Characterization of primary corrosion products and precipitates from the baths, using 3D digital microscopy, SEM/EDS, µ-Raman, and XRD, identified basic tin chlorides with abhurite and hydroromarchite structures. Collectively, results demonstrate that immediate preventive conservation is an effective strategy for controlling corrosion risk, underscoring the necessity of collaborative frameworks for the long-term safeguarding of underwater pewter heritage.

  PublisherDOI

• An experimental archaeological project in recreating an ancient bronze naval ram

  Journal of Archaeological Science · 2025-04-06

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Improving the Final Atmospheric Seal of Conserved Archaeological Iron from Marine Sites: A Case Study of Cannon Conservation in Louisiana

  Journal of Maritime Archaeology · 2025-06-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• A Call to Action Regarding Vinegar Syndrome Degradation of 1:1 Drawings in Nautical Archaeology

  The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology · 2025-05-30

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• The chelation of silicone-treated wood artifacts to address sulfate precipitation

  Journal of Cultural Heritage · 2025-08-09

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  • Iron corrosion causes sulfate generation in artifacts treated via siloxane polymers. • Chemical chelation effectively penetrates siloxane-treated artifacts. • EDTA and ammonium citrate are effective in chelating siloxane-treated artifacts. • Ammonium citrate causes leaching of siloxane polymers. While the generation of sulfuric acid and iron sulfates has been known for at least 25 years in water-logged artifacts conserved with a mostly-reversible polyethylene glycol treatment, it has not previously been reported or treated in artifacts conserved using other methods. The issue is at least partially related to the presence of iron and iron corrosion products in the wrecks, and is therefore often treated through chelation to remove chemically iron from the artifacts. Now, sulfate salts and sulfuric acid have precipitated in artifacts from the 1686 La Belle wreck, which were conserved using silicone oil polymerization, a currently irreversible conservation technique. To determine whether the silicone would allow direct chelation of the iron, archaeological samples from the Heroine wreck were conserved using silicone polymerization and chelated for three months using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ammonium citrate. The chelated solutions were tested weekly with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to determine the quantity of iron removed. Both EDTA and ammonium citrate were able to remove iron in similar quantities, with ammonium citrate initially removing it at a slightly faster rate. However, the ammonium citrate disrupted the silicone used to preserve the samples, making it an unviable method for treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• An Analysis of an 18th-Century Sailing Lighter Discovered Along the Alexandria, VA, Waterfront

  The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology · 2025-05-22

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Addressing the Precipitation of Hydrated Carbonates on a Bronze Cannon from the Alamo

  ACS Omega · 2025-08-19

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Following their defeat in the Texas Revolution of 1836, the Mexican Army disabled and buried cannons used in the defense of the Alamo. Rediscovered in 1852, 13 of these cannons have since journeyed through private collections and public exhibits before arriving at the Alamo. Among them is a bronze 4-pounder cannon, thought to have seen action during the battle itself. In 2017, the gun was conserved using electrolytic reduction with sodium hydroxide. White powder later appeared around the breech, identified as thermonatrite (Na2CO3·H2O), trona (Na3H(CO3)2·2H2O), and spertiniite (Cu(OH)2). The precipitate is likely the side effect of conservation treatment, and the cannon was retreated and boiled in deionized water in an attempt to remove all carbonates. This was ineffective, and an experiment was conducted to determine and effective way to neutralize the carbonates. Formic and citric acids were found to have the least negative effects on the experimental ingots, while phosphoric, acetic, and sulfuric acids were ruled out as too problematic. Formic acid was the most effective at preventing recurring precipitation, and was chosen for application to the artifact. It successfully kept the precipitate at bay for three months before reapplication was required, which was expected based on the experiment. Time to reapplication is expected to lengthen as the carbonate reacts with the formic acid and is removed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Improving the Final Atmospheric Seal of Conserved Archaeological Iron from Marine Sites: A Case Study of Cannon Conservation in Louisiana

  Research Square · 2024-12-10

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Metal Objects Were Much Desired: A Sixteenth-Century Shipwreck Cargo off the Coast of Esposende (Portugal) and the Importance of Studying Ship Cargos

  Journal of Maritime Archaeology · 2024-03-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract During winter storms in 2014 and 2017, strong waves exposed hundreds of timbers and artefacts at the Belinho beach, in the North of Portugal. These ship remains were later discovered to belong to a 16th-century shipwreck, probably originating from Northern Europe. This paper aims to discuss the importance of cargo analysis through the study of the material culture associated with that site, consisting mainly of hundreds of pewter, brass, lead, iron, and stone artefacts. Most of these objects seem to have belonged to the ship’s cargo and are tied to a European trade system reflecting economic, cultural, and symbolic behaviours.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Improving the Final Atmospheric Seal of Conserved Archaeological Iron from Marine Sites

  Research Square · 2024-06-11

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  <title>Abstract</title> The conservation of iron artifacts from marine archaeological sites faces the persistent challenge of electrochemical corrosion post-recovery. Traditional conservation methods, such as electrolytic reduction and chemical stabilization, have been very successful in stabilizing these artifacts, but post-treatment, can do little to provide durable long-term protection when exposed to atmospheric conditions. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel conservation treatment that combines microcrystalline wax with a paint overlay, aimed at improving the final atmospheric seal of conserved iron artifacts. Conducted at the Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL) at Texas A&amp;M University, the experiment involved treating two historically significant cannons with this dual-layer method. The cannons were subjected to rigorous environmental conditions to test the durability and protective quality of the treatment. Results indicate that the combined use of microcrystalline wax and paint not only enhances the corrosion resistance of iron artifacts but also maintains aesthetic and structural integrity under variable climatic exposures. This paper discusses the experimental procedures, findings, and the practical implications of this treatment, advocating for its application in both museum settings and outdoor displays. The study contributes a significant advancement to conservation practices, offering a reversible, effective solution that upholds the artifact's historical value while extending its lifespan.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Carolyn Kennedy

  Institute of Nautical Archaeology

  9 shared

• Filipe Castro

  University of Coimbra

  6 shared

• Ricardo Borrero Londoño

  Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History

  5 shared

• Peter D. Fix

  Mitchell Institute

  4 shared

• Julia Herbst

  Rush University Medical Center

  4 shared

• Glenn Grieco

  Texas A&M University

  4 shared

• Kotaro Yamafune

  Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

  3 shared

• Amy Borgens

  2 shared

Labs

• Research Laboratory of the Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M UniversityPI

Awards & honors

• Frederick R. Mayers Professorship in Nautical Archaeology II