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Neolithic Boat Builders Knew What They Were Doing

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• Neolithic Boat Builders Knew What They Were Doing

• Neolithic Boat Builders Knew What They Were Doing

  Michael > March 21st, 2024, 01:16 AM

  
  
  This is a fascinating article from a site called Interesting Engineering. Here is an excerpt.
  
  

  Quote:7000-year-old boats prove Neolithic sailors were master shipbuilders
  
  Researchers analyzed dugout canoes from an ancient Italian settlement, revealing seafaring technology far earlier than previously thought.
  
  How often do you think about the engineering that goes into the boats we take for granted? Probably not a lot. Yet over 7,000 years ago, people were building remarkably seaworthy canoes using the limited tools of the Neolithic Era. A fascinating discovery in Italy highlights their incredible ingenuity and offers a glimpse into the hidden history of sailing.
  
  For centuries, historians believed the Minoans of Crete, famed for their naval power around 2000 BC, were Europe’s pioneering seafarers. But a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE shakes up that timeline. Researchers analyzed dugout canoes from an ancient Italian settlement, revealing seafaring technology far earlier than previously thought.
  
  
  Archaeologists working at an ancient Italian site have unearthed a fleet of canoes dating back over 7,000 years, demonstrating astonishingly advanced nautical skills during the Neolithic period.
  
  A lakeside time capsule
  Nestled near Rome, the ancient village of La Marmotta has become a goldmine for understanding prehistoric life. Excavations spearheaded by Dr. Juan F. Gibaja of the Spanish National Research Council have unearthed a treasure trove of perfectly preserved Neolithic canoes. These meticulously crafted boats date back as far as 5700 BC and tell an extraordinary story of maritime innovation.
  
  Unlike the simple hollowed-out log canoes you might imagine, the La Marmotta vessels were engineering marvels. Built using four different types of wood, they featured advanced structural elements like internal supports. The discovery of T-shaped wooden tools featuring patterns of holes was even more compelling. Researchers theorize these mysterious implements were key parts of the rigging for sails or other advanced nautical applications.

  
  
  Read the full article here:
  
  7000-year-old boats prove Neolithic sailors were master shipbuilders
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