Early Ships and Seafaring: Water Transport Beyond Europe

Professor McGrail's book explores ancient boatbuilding and seafaring in Europe, Egypt, Arabia, India, South-east Asia, China, Australia, Oceania, and the Americas, from the Prehistoric period to today. Early rafts and boats were hand-built from natural materials and propelled by human muscle or wind power. In regions such as Egypt, accounts, models, and illustrations of ancient rafts and boats have survived, while in the Americas, accounts and illustrations compiled by European seamen and explorers have been used. Much remains to be learned about early water transport by excavation and ethnographic studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Professor McGrail's comprehensive study of European water transport extends to Egypt, Arabia, India, Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Oceania, and the Americas. Each chapter offers a detailed and accurate portrayal of ancient boatbuilding and seafaring, reflecting the current state of knowledge. In these regions, early rafts and boats were handcrafted from natural materials, relying on human muscle or wind power for propulsion and steering. This volume spans from prehistoric times to the present, where some traditional craft continue to be built.

In Egypt, remarkable accounts, models, and illustrations of ancient rafts and boats have survived, with some dating back to the 3rd Millennium BC. In contrast, regions like the Americas, where fewer ancient craft have been excavated, rely on accounts and illustrations compiled by European seamen and explorers from the 16th century AD onwards. Throughout the world, water transport has been developed using various materials, with limitations imposed by the available resources. However, on the island of Tasmania, early rising sea levels severed connections with Australia, leaving Tasmanians with simple Stone Age water transport that persisted until European discovery.

There remains a significant amount to be learned about early water transport through excavation and ethnographic studies of surviving traditional rafts and boats. These insights provide valuable perspectives on the development of waterborne transportation across different regions and eras.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399019460