| The
sea... such a vast patch without limits. How would the sailors
navigate in these waters three or four thousand years ago? |
| Ancient
sailors navigated in still waters with anything that floated,
things made out of wood or leather, and with oars and currents,
under the guidance of the shore. Then came the advent of sail;
sailors started to use the wind as their primary force, rather
than that of their own, their slaves, or animals. This invention,
for centuries, was the easiest, and cheapest way to navigate.
It carried people, cultures, cargos and love to far away lands.
And the story, in other words the history of the seamen, started
in the Mediterranean, that is ‘between the continents’.
Just out of curiosity; can’t we call it the 7th continent? |
| Roughly
3,500 years ago, a trade ship, that was carrying the wealth
of some of the most advanced civilizations of the era, sunk
along the Mediterranean coastline of Turkey with secrets of
the Bronze Age. The cargo of the ship was priceless; almost
20,000 pieces, from the royal seal of Queen Nephertiti, to
jewels, gold and amber, Mycenaean vessels to ivory, Cypriot
earthenware pots, and war tools. All were lost for centuries
as the ship laid silently at the bottom of the sea. |
| The
ship and its secrets were awakened in 1982. Archaeologist
George Bass and his team have been excavating ancient shipwrecks
along the coast of Asia Minor. They reflected a strong light
to the mystery of the Bronze Age by the shipwreck they discovered
at Uluburun. The rare findings of Uluburun have excited the
world of archaeology and science for the last two decades.
But the amazing information about the ship was not limited
to its load! |
| The
Uluburun wreck is considered one of the most significant discoveries
of the past century. This is the oldest known shipwreck as
well as the oldest known merchant vessel. Research of scientific
data relating to the excavation started back in 1984, and
it still goes on. And so far, over 22,000 dives were made
to bring the pieces back to day light. |
| It
is the first boat discovered, that was built for long hull
voyages that is known for its rotation. The ships of the Bronze
Age sailed on a circular course. This course was around 1,700
miles long, starting from the shores of Syria & Palestine,
stretching to Cyprus, and reaching to Egypt and the Aegean. |
| Uluburun
II, as we call the replica, was built by a technique known
as the "shell-first method", which involves building
up the planks first, then frames without nails. We were enthusiastic
about this project, however none of us ever worked in a shipyard
before! A few weeks passed, and we found a shipyard owner
who was as enthusiastic. He accepted our offer, to be the
first to re-build a bronze age boat! |
| We
have worked on this project for over a year. Initial step
was the keel of Uluburun II, supposedly the easiest part
to build. However, without nails, using tennon-mortise lock
system, things got harder – especially when we got
the tools in our hands. Then came the planks, frame, and
caulking... |
| Uluburun
II was launched on March 02, 2005. Our anxiety turned into
gratification from the moment we got on the boat. Sailing
on a boat that you’ve worked on - especially if it’s
a replica of a 3,500 years old ship - is astonishing. It was
as if I have heard the Aegean say; “I know this ship!” |
| We
sailed north, but we had to stop off the coast of Troy, due
to prevailing north wind, just like Jason and Argonauts, or
Agamemnon. They were unable to sail upwind either. So we decided
to turn south, to Marmaris, for the Maritime Festival... |
article
by SRM Travel guide Sidar Duman |
|
