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Africa: A continent of "Land-Lubbers" ??
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by zarahan: [QB] [QUOTE]Originally posted by alTakruri: The earliest evidence for the use of boats in Ancient Egypt is circumstantial. Fish bones found at the campsites of prehistoric hunter/gatherers include larger deep-water fish that can only be caught by deep-water fishing in some form of boat.14 The earliest boats were [b]rafts[/b] made from papyrus reeds, similar to those depicted in later tomb scenes depicting fishing and fowling. Temporary papyrus boats enabled hunter/gatherer groups to travel across and along the river between seasonal camp sites. Egyptian mythology often refers to the use of papyrus boats by the gods, during the ‘time of the gods’ that is before the formation of the Egyptian state. Papyrus boats continued to be used in Pharaonic times for fishing and fowling along the river, but they also retained their religious symbolism as the craft used by the forces of order who entered the wetlands to defeat the forces of chaos. As the Egyptians adopted Neolithic lifeways (approximately 5500 BCE), including the introduction of agriculture and animal husbandry, they continued their reliance on boats to utilise the resources of the Nile. It is likely that [b]wooden boats[/b] were first developed at this time, with sedentary villagers investing greater effort to construct more permanent boats suitable for fishing, fowling and transportation. Later evidence suggests that the earliest wooden boats were typically of a shell construction, that is a combination of planks joined together with mortise-and-tenon joints and then sewn together to form a keel-less hull.15 It is possible that some of the earliest Neolithic boats were owned communally, with each plank being held by a member of the village when not in use.16 Although there are a few simple models of boats dating to the Neolithic period, it is with the rise of chiefdoms during the Egyptian Predynastic period (3700 to 3050 BCE) that there is evidence of widespread use of boats. The Egyptian Predynastic period is characterised by numerous boat depictions, including what appears to be a recurring maritime theme on rock art and decorated pottery of that period.17 There are three types of boat depiction during the Egyptian Predynastic period: the papyrus boat, the ceremonial boat and the war-canoe.18 [b]Papyrus boats[/b] were still being built in Africa until recent times, in Lake Tana and Chad, and their method of construction provides insight into their Ancient Egyptian equivalents. Egyptian papyrus boats were constructed using dried papyrus plants (each up to 5m high and 15cm thick at the base) bound together to form bundles, which were then tied together to form the desired boat shape. The narrow ends would be raised and tied back to form an upright bow and stern. While single papyrus bundles were used to fish or cross the Nile, quite complex papyrus boats were also constructed by binding multiple large papyrus bundles and could be up to 15m long and 3m wide.19 The [b]ceremonial boats[/b] were most likely developed from the larger papyrus boats with upturned ends, used for chiefly ceremonies and other ritual purposes. By the Egyptian Predynastic period they had grown in size and hence a stronger wooden construction was required, although they retained the basic shape of the original papyrus boat with the raised bow and stern. Pharaonic models of divine barks and funerary barks clearly show that the raised bow and stern form was retained. [b]War-canoes[/b] were most important from the viewpoint of the origin of naval forces and ancient sea power. The Neolithic wooden boats grew in size during the Predynastic period to accommodate larger crews. The resulting long thin boats developed into war-canoes with two rows of paddlers, papyrus shelters, a steering oar, a standard and typically a branch on the bow. They were constructed from two wooden side lengths and a wooden bottom length made from thin planks sewn together. Such war-canoes varied in length from approximately 15m for 20 oarsmen (small war-canoe), 27m for 52 oarsmen (large war-canoe), and 38m for 80 oarsmen (maximum crew size).20 It is also possible that sails were used during most of the Predynastic period, as diamond shaped representations with ‘masts’ have of ten been interpreted as temporary sails. The earliest depiction of a sail on a boat can be dated to the end of the Predynastic period, about 3050 BCE. [/QUOTE]Great reference. SOme of the war canoes recorded deeper into the continent are as big as, or exceed the Egyptian example mentioned above. (African Military Systems- wiki). [i] Some canoes were 80 feet in length, carrying 100 men or more. Documents from 1506 for example, refer to war-canoes on the Sierra Leone river, carrying 120 men. Others refer to Guinea coast peoples using canoes of varying sizes- some 70 feet in length, 7-8 ft broad, with sharp pointed ends, rowing benches on the side, and quarter decks or focastles build of reeds, and miscellaneous facilities such as cooking hearths, and storage spaces for crew sleeping mats. [85] The warriors in some of these accounts were armed with spears, shields and arrows, and were expected to row as well. Each rower kept a bundle of throwing javelins and his shield next to him to repel enemy canoes.[/i] [IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9f/Afrimilibowarcanoe2.jpg[/IMG] Nor were these simply tribal hordes sallying forth on dugouts, but systematically organized units for battle and logistics. In some empires, maritime assets were systematically organized into military and civil spheres. [i] "In war, the canoe performed an important logistics function. The empires of Mali and Songhay for example used canoes to move troops, horses and material quickly to many parts of the realm, as well as for trade and general transport. In Songhay, a Chief of the Waters oversaw all civil matters related to water transport, and a Chief of Canoes supervised naval operations. Big war canoes in this region drew a clear distinction between rowers, (usually 18 to 20) and marine troops (some 70-80 warriors). The boats were equipped with all the necessary provisions and supplies for their mission." [/i] [IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/Greatlakesnavalbattle2.jpg[/IMG] Historical Great Lakes naval clash between 2 East African kingdoms On the coasts of course, various other vessels and peoples engaged in trade etc from the Red Sea, to the Indian Ocean. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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