In early 2021, I joined an experimental archaeology project sponsored by the National Museum of Abu Dhabi and New York University in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Our goal was to reconstruct a Bronze Age ship of the type that carried cargo between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley in approximately 2,500 BC. Although archaeologists have never found an actual shipwreck from that era, we designed the ship based on evidence we gathered from cuneiform tablets, ancient drawings, and boat models discovered in Mesopotamian temples and tombs. In addition, we used the knowledge we had gained from four previous Bronze Age ship reconstructions to ensure that the our vessel, which we named Má II, was as authentic and seaworthy as possible.
Since the vast marshes of southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) contained little timber, but an abundance of reeds, its ancient inhabitants built their watercraft out of reed bundles that were rendered waterproof by a thick coating of bitumen (tar). Using such vessels, and the simplest means of navigation, Mesopotamian sailors created the longest maritime trade route of the ancient world, and in the process built the foundations for one of history’s first great civilizations.
Although we completed the construction of Má II in December 2022, it wasn’t until this past February that we had an opportunity to launch it and conduct sea trials. I was fortunate to return to Abu Dhabi to participate in the trials, and I am delighted to announce that the ship proved not only seaworthy, but that she handled even better than our team had expected.
I look forward to sharing my experience on the Bronze Age Boat Project with RTCC students and staff in the coming weeks.
