Transition from Shell to Skeleton in Ancient Mediterranean Ship-Construction: analysis, problems, and future research

Abstract

During the 1st millennium AD ship‐construction changed. Previously, ships were built ‘shell‐first’—strakes were installed before frames, giving the hull its shape and integrity. About the mid‐1st millennium AD the concept and construction of hulls changed to being shaped by transverse frames fixed to the keel, reinforced by longitudinal members. During the transition varying combinations of the two technologies were used. It has been widely accepted that the transition was completed by the beginning of the 2nd millennium. Recent discoveries, mainly in Dor/Tantura lagoon and lately in Yenikapı, analyses of other hulls, and reassessment of evidence, indicate an earlier completion of the transition. Since this process was the result of many factors, including economic and social, and occurred in different areas of the Mediterranean at different times, no simple linear development is suggested, but a more complex process, which raises questions for future research. © 2012 The Authors

The 1st Millennium AD Mediterranean Shipbuilding Transition at Dor/Tantura Lagoon, Israel: Dating the Dor 2001/1 Shipwreck

“…1st millennium AD shipwrecks-including a group of wrecks from Dor/Tantura Lagoon in northern Israel-demonstrates that the Mediterranean shipbuilding Transition took place at an earlier date (Kahanov 2011a,b;Pomey et al 2012). Pomey et al's (2012) detailed analysis of 1st millennium AD shipwrecks and their construction further suggests that the Transition in the Mediterranean was not a linear evolution.…”

“…This process is known as the "Transition in Construction" (Pomey et al 2012). It involved basic changes in ship design, building methods, and construction sequence.…”

“…After the Transition, hull design was transversely oriented and based on frames ("frame-based"). Frames were installed before planks, which were nailed to the frames, and hull strength was based on frames nailed to the ship keel (Pomey et al 2012). …”

Archaeometallurgical analysis of metal remains from the Dor 2006 shipwreck: A clue to the understanding of the transition in ship construction

“…The shipwreck was dated between the mid6th century and the first quarter of the 7th century AD (Barkan et al, 2013a;Navri et al, 2013, p. 317). She was built in the period of the transition in ship construction from shell-first to frame-based (Pomey et al, 2012(Pomey et al, , 2013. One of the explanations of the transition is economic pressure.…”

Underwater reflectance transformation imaging: a technology for in situ underwater cultural heritage object-level recording

“…This is a lashing method associated with ancient Iberian naval architecture of northern Spain. 31 However, we would not expect to find this technique on the Cap del Vol which instead features a parallel (through-timber bore hole) lashing method. 32 Therefore, to help inform us as to the nature of the anomaly, we were interested to see if we could use URTI to detect characteristics of impact, abrasion, or tool-marks.…”