The River Nile which flows over a large part of Egypt is considered a boon to Egypt. It forms the most suitable way of conveyance throughout Egypt. Construction of boats became mandatory to serve as a means of transport across the Nile. Boats were constructed in many different designs based on their intended purpose.
Primarily boats were constructed for the purpose of transportation, fishing and leisure activities. Ancient Egyptian boats can also be seen depicted in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and they also played a huge role in Egyptian religion and mythology.
Archaeologists have not been able to find out numerous actual remnants of boats from the old Kingdom. Even so a number of remains were unearthed in Abydos and Tarkhan. Perhaps the best living example of ancient Egyptian boat designs was discovered in the form of King Khufu's ship. This ship has been among the prime examples by which historians have been able to find out how the Egyptians created the ships during that period of time.
Numerous boats from the first dynasty were found in Abydos. The boats possess a special plan of 25 meters and were about 2 to 3 m wide. Having a depth of just 60 centimeters the boats could seat up to 30 rowers. These were characterized by prows and sterns that would narrow along the length and there is a great deal of evidence that goes to show that the ancient Egyptians would also decorate their boats by painting on them.
Wood used for building the boat structure happened to decay as the years passed by, and therefore a deeper study of kind of wood was not possible. Archaeologists assume that in the earliest dynasty of the Egyptian kingdom, wood from the Cedar tree was used to construct boats.
An in-depth study has revealed a clear picture of the boat construction in ancient Egypt. Planks of wood cut out from wooden logs were subjected to lashing through a special mortise made for the purpose. The joints in between the planks were made watertight with the help of reeds. There was no particular inner frame work like modern boats, and hence it would seem slightly distorted when left open.
Lots of Egyptian boats and ships are portrayed in their ancient script of hieroglyphics. Many of them are pictorially represented on the temple walls and tombs of Deir el Bahri and Medinet Habu. These monuments are well-known for the variety of ancient Egyptian boats displayed on their walls.
It is through these hieroglyphics that historians have been able to assess the boat making tradition in ancient Egypt more than the actual remains which have been discovered. Nevertheless historians have very little information about how the ships were constructed in the new Kingdom.
The state would also encourage the building of boats and ships. Some ruling authorities like Pharaoh Snefru encouraged and patronized the building of boats and ships to add to the strength of the Navy. In other cases boats were created for recreational and fishing purposes.
Primarily boats were constructed for the purpose of transportation, fishing and leisure activities. Ancient Egyptian boats can also be seen depicted in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and they also played a huge role in Egyptian religion and mythology.
Archaeologists have not been able to find out numerous actual remnants of boats from the old Kingdom. Even so a number of remains were unearthed in Abydos and Tarkhan. Perhaps the best living example of ancient Egyptian boat designs was discovered in the form of King Khufu's ship. This ship has been among the prime examples by which historians have been able to find out how the Egyptians created the ships during that period of time.
Numerous boats from the first dynasty were found in Abydos. The boats possess a special plan of 25 meters and were about 2 to 3 m wide. Having a depth of just 60 centimeters the boats could seat up to 30 rowers. These were characterized by prows and sterns that would narrow along the length and there is a great deal of evidence that goes to show that the ancient Egyptians would also decorate their boats by painting on them.
Wood used for building the boat structure happened to decay as the years passed by, and therefore a deeper study of kind of wood was not possible. Archaeologists assume that in the earliest dynasty of the Egyptian kingdom, wood from the Cedar tree was used to construct boats.
An in-depth study has revealed a clear picture of the boat construction in ancient Egypt. Planks of wood cut out from wooden logs were subjected to lashing through a special mortise made for the purpose. The joints in between the planks were made watertight with the help of reeds. There was no particular inner frame work like modern boats, and hence it would seem slightly distorted when left open.
Lots of Egyptian boats and ships are portrayed in their ancient script of hieroglyphics. Many of them are pictorially represented on the temple walls and tombs of Deir el Bahri and Medinet Habu. These monuments are well-known for the variety of ancient Egyptian boats displayed on their walls.
It is through these hieroglyphics that historians have been able to assess the boat making tradition in ancient Egypt more than the actual remains which have been discovered. Nevertheless historians have very little information about how the ships were constructed in the new Kingdom.
The state would also encourage the building of boats and ships. Some ruling authorities like Pharaoh Snefru encouraged and patronized the building of boats and ships to add to the strength of the Navy. In other cases boats were created for recreational and fishing purposes.
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Ancient Egyptian Jackals are becoming more popular. Interested persons wanting additional assistance ought to pay a visit to our thorough guide to Ancient Egyptian Mythology.
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