ANTH 316
Prof. Cemal Pulak
Nautical Archaeology Program, Department of Anthropology
Office hours: TR 4:00 am – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Anthropology Building 128A
Email: pulak@tamu.edu
Phone: 979-845‐6697 (Office) / 979-845‐5242 (Dept.)
Course Description
This is a lecture-format survey course that explores the art and archaeology of ancient seafaring from the Stone Age until early modern historical times, as well as an introduction to the fundamental concepts and key developments in nautical science relevant to the study of the history of seafaring. The course offers students an opportunity to explore some of the most exciting aspects of ancient maritime cultures and examines engaging topics, including the earliest evidence for boats and seafaring, seafaring cultures in the Mediterranean and northern Europe, and the developments in ship design and important archaeological shipwreck discoveries. The course draws upon evidence from iconography, ancient technology, and archaeological sites under water. As there is no textbook for the course, attendance and completion of recommended readings is essential.
Course Objectives
- To become familiar with the maritime history of the ancient world
- To examine ancient seafaring through nautical archaeology
- To evaluate the significance of seafaring in the trade of ancient civilizations
- To develop a critical approach to the study nautical archaeology
Course Structure
The format of this course is based on weekly lectures, illustrated with digital images. There will be two examinations and one final examination (not cumulative). The format of the examinations will include multiple choice and short answer questions. Be aware that, as the semester progresses, material will build upon and draw from terminology and content presented in earlier lectures and in the readings.
Prerequisites
None
Suggested Readings
There are no required readings, but the students are encouraged to consult appropriate sections in the following books:
- Bass, George F. 2005. Beneath the Seven Seas. Adventures with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. London: Thames & Hudson.
- ______. 1972. A History of Seafaring Based on Underwater Archaeology. New York: Walker.
- Casson, Lionel. 1991 [1959]. The Ancient Mariners. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- ______. 1971. Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Crumlin-Pedersen, Ole. 2010. Archaeology and the Sea in Scandinavia and Britain. Roskilde: The Viking Ships Museum.
- Delgado, James. 1997. Encyclopedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeology. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
- Throckmorton, Peter. 1987. The Sea Remembers: Shipwrecks and Archaeology from Homer’s Greece to the Rediscovery of the Titanic. New York Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
- Wachsmann, Shelley. 1998. Seagoing Ships and Seamanship in the Bronze Age Levant. College Station: Texas A&M University Press.
Examinations
There will be two examinations and one non-cumulative final examination. The format of the examinations consists of multiple-choice questions and sometimes short answers. Be aware that, as the semester progresses, lectures will draw from terminology and content presented in earlier lectures.
Basis for Evaluation (Grading Policies)
The final course grade will be based on the criteria described below:
The final grade will be calculated according to the following formula and based on a 100point scale
A=90‐100 points, B=80‐89 points, C=70‐79 points, D=60‐69 points, F=59 points and below
| Examination | Points | Grades % |
| Examination 1 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Examination 2 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Final Examination | 100 points | 34% of final grade |
ALL COURSES
- ANTH 313 – Historical Archaeology
- ANTH 316 – Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 317 – Introduction To Biblical Archaeology
- ANTH 318 – Nautical Archaeology of the Americas
- ANTH 323 – Nautical Archaeology Of The Ancient Mediterranean
- ANTH 353 – Archaeology Of Ancient Greece
- ANTH 354 – Archaeology of Ancient Italy
- ANTH 402 – Archaeological Artifact Conservation
- ANTH 417 – Naval Warfare & Warships In Ancient Greece And Rome
- ANTH 418 – Romans, Arabs, and Vikings
- ANTH 420 – History and Archaeology of Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders
- ANTH 436 – Ancient Egypt
- ANTH 438 – Ancient Egypt II
- ANTH 464-664 – Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
- ANTH 603 – Seafaring Life and Maritime Communities 1450-1950
- ANTH 605 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials I
- ANTH 606 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials II
- ANTH 608 – Skills in Maritime Archaeology
- ANTH 610 – Outfitting And Sailing The Wooden Ship 1400-1900
- ANTH 611 – Introduction To Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 612 – Preclassical Seafaring
- ANTH 613 – Classical Seafaring
- ANTH 615 – History Of Wooden Shipbuilding Technology
- ANTH 616 – Research and Reconstruction of Ships
- ANTH 617 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials III
- ANTH 628 – New World Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 629 – Post-Medieval Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 663 – Analytical Methods in Archaeology and Conservation
- ANTH 685 – Archaeological Diving: Skills and Methods
Course Schedule
(The schedule is a subject to change, revisions, and refinements which will be posted)
| I. Nautical Archaeology: Discipline, Techniques, and Technology | ||
| Week 1 |
Course Introduction Basics: Survey, Mapping, Excavation, and Mapping Techniques |
|
| Week 2 | Conservation, Reconstruction, Analysis, Nautical Vocabulary | |
|
II. Ships and Seafaring in the Bronze Age Mediterranean |
||
| Week 3 |
Egyptians on the Nile: Pre-Dynastic Egyptian Boats, Khufu’s Barges, Dashur Boats, and Lisht Boats |
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| Week 4 |
Bronze Age Mediterranean Ships and Seafaring, Minoans: The Thera Frescoes |
|
| Week 5 |
Late Bronze Age: Uluburun Shipwreck |
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| III. Ships and Seafaring during the Archaic and Classical Periods | ||
| Week 6 |
Phoenicians and Greeks in the Western Mediterranean: Bon Porté, Giglio, and Porticello Shipwrecks Classical Greek Ships: Ma’agan Michael and Kyrenia Shipwrecks |
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| Week 7 | Greek Warships: Triremes and Polyremes; Ancient Anchors | |
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IV. Roman Ships and Seafaring Roman Harbors and Merchantmen: Madrague de Giens Shipwreck |
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V. Early Medieval Ships and Seafaring in the Mediterranean |
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| Week 8 |
Byzantine Ships and Shipwrecks Byzantine Ships: Yassiada 7th-century Shipwreck |
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| Week 9 | No Class – SPRING BREAK | |
| Week 10 |
Middle and Late Byzantine Ships |
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| VI. Late Medieval Ships and Seafaring in the Mediterranean | ||
| Week 11 | Serce Limani Shipwreck and Yenikapı Shipwrecks | |
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VII. Scandinavian and Early Medieval Northern European Ships Ship Burials of Northern Europe & Scandinavia: Hjortspring, Nydam, Kvalsund Ships |
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| Week 12 |
Viking Ships: Oseberg, and Gokstadt Ships |
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| VIII. Late Medieval Ships and Seafaring in Northern Europe | ||
| Week 13 |
Cogs and Hulks |
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| Week 14 |
Late Medieval Warships |
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| Week 15 |
Swedish Warship Vasa |
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| Week 15 |
Redefined Day – Students Attend Their Friday Classes Final Examination |
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