conference

PRIFYSGOL CYMRU ABERTAWE,
UNIVERSITY OF WALES SWANSEA.

Reed Boats in Ancient Egypt: Experiments and Expeditions

Donald Ryan (Pacific Lutheran University)

The use of reeds and sedge in the manufacture of watercraft has a long history and a broad geographical distribution. The natural buoyancy and typical abundance of plants such as papyrus make them ideal materials for such purposes. In predynastic Egypt, depictions of what appear to be 'reed boats' are numerous in rock art and appear as a common motif on painted Naqada II pottery. During pharaonic times, small boats and skiffs of papyrus were certainly in common use on the Nile and many examples of tomb art survive which depict these vessels under construction or in use.

Beginning about forty years ago, the Norwegian explorer and archaeologist, Thor Heyerdahl, built three large experimental 'reed boats' (including two made from papyrus0 in order to test their seaworthiness and other physical parameters. Although widely misunderstood, Heyerdahl's expeditions provided interesting insights into the nature of reed boats and their possible abilities. The speaker, who worked extensively with Heyerdahl, will explain the intent and results of these dramatic experimental expeditions and will share some of his own experiments with related technology.

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