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Conference report: VIth Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Lamia, Greece, 28–30 August 1996
The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (1997) 26.1: 75–77
News Report Conference report: VIth Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Lamia, Greece, 28–30 August 1996
Over 100 participants attended the triennial symposium on ship construction in antiquity organized by the Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition. The 1996 symposium (the sixth) was held in Lamia Castle, hosted by the 14th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Municipality of Lamia, and some 50 papers were presented in several, sometimes parallel, sessions. While the main theme was, as always, ancient ship construction in the Mediterranean, many other topics of a maritime nature were also discussed. Prof. R. Steffy (INA, Texas A & M University, USA) opened the discussion with an update on the Mediterranean Ship Construction Database which is currently being compiled in Texas, in an attempt to standardize the recording of ancient Mediterranean ships and to help date and classify hull remains. In a previous meeting (Tropis II, 1990), Steffy had outlined the absolute minimum set of categories necessary for recording and publishing ancient Mediterranean ships, which briefly suggest that: one or more scale section drawings of the hull remains; dimensions, numbers, type of wood and spacings etc. be taken of the keel, false keel, stem- and sternposts, planking, mortise-and-tenon joints, frames, keelson, ceiling planks, lead sheathing and rigging, as applicable. It is hoped that those concerned with hull excavation will, eventually, adopt these most successful guidelines. Other speakers relied upon the evidence of ship iconography to interpret hull design and ship use. M. Wedde argued for 1057–2414/97/010075+03 $25.00/0 na960058
the presence of a hybrid hull in early Greek ship architecture, half galley, half roundship; and Senior Commander Ap. Kourtis gave an elaborate and beautifully illustrated explanation for the stern appendage visible on the Late Bronze Age ships depicted in the Thera fresco. H. Tzalas (President of the Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition) informed the symposium of two ship representations recently found in Attica, one of the mid-4th century BC and the other dating to the Late Roman/Early Christian period. V. Koniordos presented a fascinating preliminary report on early Post Byzantine ship graffiti found recently in a cistern, south of the Trigonion tower, Thessaloniki. There were a number of papers from the Hellenic Institute for Marine Archaeology (HIMA). C. Agouridis gave an update on the final season’s work at the Late Bronze III Cypro-Mycenaean shipwreck site at Point Iria in the Argolid. Although this wreck does not display the wealth of finds recovered from the Uluburun wreck, the ship represents a valuable example of a commonly used cargo boat of the same period trading between Cyprus and the Aegean. Y. Lolos reminded the audience of the very important copper ox-hideshaped ingot hoard, the earliest of its kind, that was recovered from the Late Bronze Age wreck off Kyme in Euboea. The importance of this find was reiterated in the light of the Late Minoan I cargo excavated at Sheytan Deresi, and more recent Minoan finds along the west coast of Turkey, the Dodecanese and at Tel el-Daba ? 1997 The Nautical Archaeology Society
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 26.1
in Egypt, re-emphasizing the possible existence and power of the Minoan thalassocracy. G. Koutsouflakis argued for the use of longboats for tuna fishing in the Early Cycladic period, an idea previously voiced by Y. Vichos (ENALIA (1989) 1.2); whilst L. Blue outlined a methodological approach towards quantifying the degree of shelter afforded at selected harbours of the eastern Mediterranean, and of the ease of entering and leaving these harbours dependent upon prevailing maritime conditions and second millennium BC seafarers’ manoeuvring capabilities. Finally, D. Kourkoumelis reported on the ongoing excavations by the Institute of a circa 4th century BC wreck off the island of Antidragonera, Kythera; in particular the recovery of a number of stone pyramidal anchors. This provoked much discussion between the anchor experts, H. Frost and G. Kapitan, who debated the applications of the transverse hole in the face of the stone pyramidal anchors. (Fig. 1). A number of papers described current underwater surveys and excavations being undertaken in the Mediterranean. C. Brandon (Nautical Archaeology Society, London) summarized the excavation by J.-P. Joncheray of two small Roman craft off the south coast of France; the 1st century BC Dramont ‘C’ vessel and the 1st century AD Barthelemy ‘B’. He concluded by reporting the unfortunate theft of all one hundred or so tegulae (tiles) and imbrices (capping pieces) that made up the majority of the cargo from the Barthelemy ‘B’ wreck. C. Pulak (INA, Texas A & M University) expounded upon the hull construction of the Late Bronze Age Uluburun wreck found off the south Turkish coast. It appears that the mortiseand-tenon joints that attached the hull planking were extremely deep and that ‘each joint cut in one plank edge was positioned immediately next to the nearest joint cut from the opposite edge. . . . This pattern extended steadfastly up the sides of 76
Figure 1. Pyramidal stone anchor from Antidragonera, Kythera, showing transverse hole in the face of the anchor (L. Blue. HIMA).
the hull planking, centre to centre’. Pulak suggested that perhaps the additional hull strength this constructional method potentially provided may explain and compensate for the lack of evidence throughout the extant hull remains for the employment of frames. S. Wachsmann (of the same University) and Y. Kahanov (centre of Maritime Studies, Haifa University, Israel) updated the symposium on work that is currently being carried out in Tantura Lagoon, Tel Dor, Israel, particularly of the very interesting 6th–7th century AD Byzantine shipwreck (Tantura A). This shipwreck seems to represent the earliest known Mediterranean example of skeletal hull construction. However, E. Riccardi (Soprintendenza Archeologica of Sassari and Nuovo, Italy), drew attention to this technique being used in the repair of the 3rd century AD ‘Siciliano’ wreck, Olbia, Sardinia. Finally, N. Gunsenin (University of Istanbul, Turkey) presented an account of a number of Byzantine wrecks that
NEWS REPORT
have been located in the region of Ganos, along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara—all extensive amphora-mound wrecks with a high degree of preservation. Current work relating to harbour survey and excavation was also presented. T. Hillard (Australian Archaeological Institute) gave a brief overview of the survey work that he is currently undertaking at the ‘Lekythos’ peninsula site of Torone, in the Chalkidike, in association with the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, a site that was occupied from prehistoric times through to Late Antiquity. K. Kanta-Kitsou and G. Augerinou discussed selected ancient harbour sites of Corfu. P. Pomey (DRASM) gave a report on the 1992–3 excavations at Jules-Verne Place, Marseilles, France, where two late 6th century BC Greek wrecks have been exposed in close proximity. One vessel is essentially fastened by the mortise-and-tenon method, with stitching used only for repairs, while the smaller adjacent craft is completely fastened by a complex sewing method, thought to be the more ancient of the two methods. Thus, these two contemporary vessels are believed to represent the transitional phase between sewn and mortise-and-tenon techniques of hull construction used in the Mediterranean. Finally, M. Mustapha (Inspector of Antiquities, Alexandria, Egypt) detailed the incredible finds that are currently being recovered from the waters around the Pharos of Alexandria, particularly in the area to the east of Fort Qaitbay, in conjunction with the French Oriental Institute of Archaeology at Cairo. Finds include column bases, 11-m-long worked
stone blocks, obelisks, a sphinx and numerous Pharonic and Greek sculptures of stone and marble, some of up to 75 tonnes in weight. A film was also shown of the excavation at the Pharos site. W. Murray (University of South Florida) spoke on the use of catapults in Hellenistic warfare; whilst T. Korres (University of Thessaloniki) expounded upon the subject of ‘Greek Fire’. C. Marangou (University of Paris) and Y. Rouskas (Athens) each presented interesting papers on the prehistoric ‘dugoutshaped’ boat models found along the shores of Lake Kastoria, Greece, which can be compared with the contemporary ‘box-shaped’ boats still in use on the lake. Finally, from the Centre of Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, A. Raban discussed the enigma of 4th millennium BC angular sailing ships in the Red Sea; M. Artzy presented her thoughts on the Medinet Habu boat depictions; E. Linder discussed the mobility of Greek and Phoenician shipwrights; and N. Kashtan considered the ship as a symbol in Jewish and Hellenistic texts. This report covers only 50% of the extremely interesting papers presented at the 1996 symposium. Readers of the IJNA will have to wait for the publication of Tropis VI before they can really appreciate the full breadth of material presented at this extremely interesting and most successful symposium. Lucy Blue 1, Horwood Close, Headington, Oxford OX3 7RF
References Steffy, R., 1990, Problems and progress in dating ancient vessels by their construction features. Pp. 315–320, Tropis II. Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Delphi 1987. In: Tzalas, H. E. (Ed.), Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition, Athens. Vichos, Y., 1989, The boats on the frying pans from Syros (in Greek). ENALIA 1.2: 14–15.
77
News Report Conference report: VIth Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Lamia, Greece, 28–30 August 1996
Over 100 participants attended the triennial symposium on ship construction in antiquity organized by the Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition. The 1996 symposium (the sixth) was held in Lamia Castle, hosted by the 14th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Municipality of Lamia, and some 50 papers were presented in several, sometimes parallel, sessions. While the main theme was, as always, ancient ship construction in the Mediterranean, many other topics of a maritime nature were also discussed. Prof. R. Steffy (INA, Texas A & M University, USA) opened the discussion with an update on the Mediterranean Ship Construction Database which is currently being compiled in Texas, in an attempt to standardize the recording of ancient Mediterranean ships and to help date and classify hull remains. In a previous meeting (Tropis II, 1990), Steffy had outlined the absolute minimum set of categories necessary for recording and publishing ancient Mediterranean ships, which briefly suggest that: one or more scale section drawings of the hull remains; dimensions, numbers, type of wood and spacings etc. be taken of the keel, false keel, stem- and sternposts, planking, mortise-and-tenon joints, frames, keelson, ceiling planks, lead sheathing and rigging, as applicable. It is hoped that those concerned with hull excavation will, eventually, adopt these most successful guidelines. Other speakers relied upon the evidence of ship iconography to interpret hull design and ship use. M. Wedde argued for 1057–2414/97/010075+03 $25.00/0 na960058
the presence of a hybrid hull in early Greek ship architecture, half galley, half roundship; and Senior Commander Ap. Kourtis gave an elaborate and beautifully illustrated explanation for the stern appendage visible on the Late Bronze Age ships depicted in the Thera fresco. H. Tzalas (President of the Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition) informed the symposium of two ship representations recently found in Attica, one of the mid-4th century BC and the other dating to the Late Roman/Early Christian period. V. Koniordos presented a fascinating preliminary report on early Post Byzantine ship graffiti found recently in a cistern, south of the Trigonion tower, Thessaloniki. There were a number of papers from the Hellenic Institute for Marine Archaeology (HIMA). C. Agouridis gave an update on the final season’s work at the Late Bronze III Cypro-Mycenaean shipwreck site at Point Iria in the Argolid. Although this wreck does not display the wealth of finds recovered from the Uluburun wreck, the ship represents a valuable example of a commonly used cargo boat of the same period trading between Cyprus and the Aegean. Y. Lolos reminded the audience of the very important copper ox-hideshaped ingot hoard, the earliest of its kind, that was recovered from the Late Bronze Age wreck off Kyme in Euboea. The importance of this find was reiterated in the light of the Late Minoan I cargo excavated at Sheytan Deresi, and more recent Minoan finds along the west coast of Turkey, the Dodecanese and at Tel el-Daba ? 1997 The Nautical Archaeology Society
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 26.1
in Egypt, re-emphasizing the possible existence and power of the Minoan thalassocracy. G. Koutsouflakis argued for the use of longboats for tuna fishing in the Early Cycladic period, an idea previously voiced by Y. Vichos (ENALIA (1989) 1.2); whilst L. Blue outlined a methodological approach towards quantifying the degree of shelter afforded at selected harbours of the eastern Mediterranean, and of the ease of entering and leaving these harbours dependent upon prevailing maritime conditions and second millennium BC seafarers’ manoeuvring capabilities. Finally, D. Kourkoumelis reported on the ongoing excavations by the Institute of a circa 4th century BC wreck off the island of Antidragonera, Kythera; in particular the recovery of a number of stone pyramidal anchors. This provoked much discussion between the anchor experts, H. Frost and G. Kapitan, who debated the applications of the transverse hole in the face of the stone pyramidal anchors. (Fig. 1). A number of papers described current underwater surveys and excavations being undertaken in the Mediterranean. C. Brandon (Nautical Archaeology Society, London) summarized the excavation by J.-P. Joncheray of two small Roman craft off the south coast of France; the 1st century BC Dramont ‘C’ vessel and the 1st century AD Barthelemy ‘B’. He concluded by reporting the unfortunate theft of all one hundred or so tegulae (tiles) and imbrices (capping pieces) that made up the majority of the cargo from the Barthelemy ‘B’ wreck. C. Pulak (INA, Texas A & M University) expounded upon the hull construction of the Late Bronze Age Uluburun wreck found off the south Turkish coast. It appears that the mortiseand-tenon joints that attached the hull planking were extremely deep and that ‘each joint cut in one plank edge was positioned immediately next to the nearest joint cut from the opposite edge. . . . This pattern extended steadfastly up the sides of 76
Figure 1. Pyramidal stone anchor from Antidragonera, Kythera, showing transverse hole in the face of the anchor (L. Blue. HIMA).
the hull planking, centre to centre’. Pulak suggested that perhaps the additional hull strength this constructional method potentially provided may explain and compensate for the lack of evidence throughout the extant hull remains for the employment of frames. S. Wachsmann (of the same University) and Y. Kahanov (centre of Maritime Studies, Haifa University, Israel) updated the symposium on work that is currently being carried out in Tantura Lagoon, Tel Dor, Israel, particularly of the very interesting 6th–7th century AD Byzantine shipwreck (Tantura A). This shipwreck seems to represent the earliest known Mediterranean example of skeletal hull construction. However, E. Riccardi (Soprintendenza Archeologica of Sassari and Nuovo, Italy), drew attention to this technique being used in the repair of the 3rd century AD ‘Siciliano’ wreck, Olbia, Sardinia. Finally, N. Gunsenin (University of Istanbul, Turkey) presented an account of a number of Byzantine wrecks that
NEWS REPORT
have been located in the region of Ganos, along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara—all extensive amphora-mound wrecks with a high degree of preservation. Current work relating to harbour survey and excavation was also presented. T. Hillard (Australian Archaeological Institute) gave a brief overview of the survey work that he is currently undertaking at the ‘Lekythos’ peninsula site of Torone, in the Chalkidike, in association with the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, a site that was occupied from prehistoric times through to Late Antiquity. K. Kanta-Kitsou and G. Augerinou discussed selected ancient harbour sites of Corfu. P. Pomey (DRASM) gave a report on the 1992–3 excavations at Jules-Verne Place, Marseilles, France, where two late 6th century BC Greek wrecks have been exposed in close proximity. One vessel is essentially fastened by the mortise-and-tenon method, with stitching used only for repairs, while the smaller adjacent craft is completely fastened by a complex sewing method, thought to be the more ancient of the two methods. Thus, these two contemporary vessels are believed to represent the transitional phase between sewn and mortise-and-tenon techniques of hull construction used in the Mediterranean. Finally, M. Mustapha (Inspector of Antiquities, Alexandria, Egypt) detailed the incredible finds that are currently being recovered from the waters around the Pharos of Alexandria, particularly in the area to the east of Fort Qaitbay, in conjunction with the French Oriental Institute of Archaeology at Cairo. Finds include column bases, 11-m-long worked
stone blocks, obelisks, a sphinx and numerous Pharonic and Greek sculptures of stone and marble, some of up to 75 tonnes in weight. A film was also shown of the excavation at the Pharos site. W. Murray (University of South Florida) spoke on the use of catapults in Hellenistic warfare; whilst T. Korres (University of Thessaloniki) expounded upon the subject of ‘Greek Fire’. C. Marangou (University of Paris) and Y. Rouskas (Athens) each presented interesting papers on the prehistoric ‘dugoutshaped’ boat models found along the shores of Lake Kastoria, Greece, which can be compared with the contemporary ‘box-shaped’ boats still in use on the lake. Finally, from the Centre of Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, A. Raban discussed the enigma of 4th millennium BC angular sailing ships in the Red Sea; M. Artzy presented her thoughts on the Medinet Habu boat depictions; E. Linder discussed the mobility of Greek and Phoenician shipwrights; and N. Kashtan considered the ship as a symbol in Jewish and Hellenistic texts. This report covers only 50% of the extremely interesting papers presented at the 1996 symposium. Readers of the IJNA will have to wait for the publication of Tropis VI before they can really appreciate the full breadth of material presented at this extremely interesting and most successful symposium. Lucy Blue 1, Horwood Close, Headington, Oxford OX3 7RF
References Steffy, R., 1990, Problems and progress in dating ancient vessels by their construction features. Pp. 315–320, Tropis II. Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Delphi 1987. In: Tzalas, H. E. (Ed.), Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition, Athens. Vichos, Y., 1989, The boats on the frying pans from Syros (in Greek). ENALIA 1.2: 14–15.
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