Form und Funktion im Schiffbau der ägäischen Bronzezeit

Thomas Guttandin In H. Frielinghaus, T. Schmidts & V. Tsamakda (eds) 2017. Schiffe und ihr Kontext. Darstellungen, Modelle, Bestandteile-von der Bronzezeit bis zum Ende des Byzantinischen Reiches. Internationale Kolloquium 24-25. Mai 2013 in Mainz, Mainz: (9-22)

In the present article the surviving depictions and models of ships from the Aegean Bronze Age are analysed according to functional aspects and placed in the context of the environment of the peoples of the Aegean Islands and Crete. It is clear that the vessels were perfectly adapted to the conditions of the Aegean and were continually being improved upon by their builders. Thus, the Early Cycladic population mainly employed large canoe-like boats to interact with the peoples of distant islands and the mainland. During the Middle Minoan period these longboats were redesigned into rowing and sailing vessels for trading, with higher cargo capacities, less crew and a building method requiring fewer resources. In the Late Minoan period the larger and more valuable cargoes had to be protected from attacks by pirates. The trading ship fit for military service, as shown on the West House frieze on Thera and the talismanic seals with their platforms (ikria), dominated the eastern Mediterranean until the end of the Minoan era.