ABSTRACT
The most popular archaeology documentary story telling formats are chronological story; crisis, conflict, and resolution; the search; hybrid of story types. The chronological format is an ageless style for archaeology or history documentaries. Another progression format for documentaries is "crisis, conflict, and resolution". Here the crisis and conflict are established early in the story and the main part of the production is a progression toward final resolution. When Discovery Channel was launched in 1985, it refined the search motif and brought more scientific credibility to this documentary-style genre. Programs like Public Broadcasting Service (PBS's) NOVA series and National Geographic films and television shows have harnessed and honed the search motif, now a trendy format, especially for archaeology-related television productions. The program follows the history of the ill fated colony, the modern-day discovery of the shipwreck, the challenge to excavate the sailing vessel using a cofferdam built around the shallow-water wreck.
