Definition: The study of ships and sea-faring is often called maritime or marine archaeology, and includes the underwater study of shipwrecks, but also the study of ancient voyages, inscriptions and written documents about sailing voyages and commerce, and ship construction. The earliest open sea voyage we know happened is that between the Sunda and Sahul, about 40,000 years ago; but we haven't found any boats or rafts yet. The earliest rafts found yet are from around 9000 years ago. The oldest ship (made of cut planks) found so far is the so-called Solar Boat on the Giza Plateau of Egypt, dated to 2600 BC.
This glossary entry is part of the
Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the
front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar. Any mistakes are the responsibility of
Kris Hirst.
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