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"Whither sailest thou?" – points of origin and destinations in the archaeosphere of the Red Sea

2020, 29, No. 1

The Red Sea Institute for Anthropological Research


Publication date

31.12.2020

Publishing model

open access

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Field

Humanities

Discipline

archeology

Language of publication

English

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Abstract

The Red Sea is a deep rift between Africa and Asia, yet as an aquatic “highway” it links Europe to the Indian Oceanworld. While the existence of Greco-Roman trade down the Red Sea to the wider Eastern world is relatively well known, the harbors and destinations along the shores of the Red Sea are still being investigated. Understanding the geographical, and indeed geological, aspect of the sea is a key factor in the finding of ancient harbors and anchorages. Coupled with this is the need to discern the technology of maritime tools—navigation, ship-building technology, sailing practices—of the various eras and cultures of the Red Sea.This paper explores these aspects through the growing body of evidence and theory of Red Sea maritime endeavors, as well as the author’s own archaeological investigations in Eritrea and Saudi Arabia.

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