32 haunting shipwrecks from the ancient world
Shipwrecks can reveal information about traded goods and even which rituals people partook in centuries ago. Here's a look at shipwrecks from ancient times found around the world.
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Shipwrecks can reveal fascinating details about the ancient world. They can tell us what goods people were trading, how ships were being built and can even provide information on the rituals that people were carrying out.
In this countdown, Live Science takes a look at 32 shipwrecks from the ancient world. Some are small watercraft, like canoes, while others are large, seagoing ships.
Rhine Roman troop transporter
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The Roman Empire controlled a vast area that stretched from northern England to Syria. Its most important frontier stretched across central Europe, including parts of Germany. Over the years, a number of small ships used for troop transport have been discovered in the region. The example seen here dates to the fourth century A.D. and is made of oak. This vessel, and other transports that have been found, are on display at the Museum of Ancient Seafaring in Mainz, Germany.
Nemi ships
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Located in Lake Nemi, the Nemi ships consist of two vessels that were built on orders of the Roman emperor Caligula (reign circa A.D. 37 to 41) John McManamon, professor emeritus of archaeology at Loyola University Chicago, wrote in his book "From Caligula to the Nazis: The Nemi Ships in Diana's Sanctuary" (Texas A & M University Press, 2023). Why the massive ships were created is a mystery, noted McManamon. There is a temple to Diana, goddess of wild animals, on the lake but whether that has anything to do with the vessels is uncertain. The remains of the ships were destroyed during World War II.
3,000-year-old Native American canoe
(Image credit: Dean Witter/Wisconsin Historical Society)
In 2022 a 3,000-year-old dugout canoe was discovered in Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. It's about 14.5 feet (4.4 m) long and was carved from a single piece of a white oak tree, the Wisconsin Historical Society said in a statement. It was found just one year after a 1,200-year-old canoe was discovered in the same lake, the historical society noted. It's possible that there is a now-submerged Native American village near where the canoes were found.
Khufu ship
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While calling this a "shipwreck" is a bit of a stretch, the Khufu ship is one of the most famous surviving ships from the ancient world. It was buried beside the Great Pyramid, which was constructed on orders of the pharaoh Khufu (reign circa 2551 to 2528 B.C.). The boat is 141 feet (43 m) long and was dismantled before being placed in a pit beside the Great Pyramid, according to the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. The ship's builders used a mortise and tenon system to fasten the planks, the institute notes.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/haunting-shipwrecks-from-the-ancient-world
Fascinating....
= new reply since forum marked as read
Finishing my BA in Anthropology @ Arizona State ! Go Sun Devils!!!
While I am planning on focusing more on pre language, I hope to get a summer or two on a reservation or in the PNW at an actual site. Maybe even France if I'm lucky and the wife will come 
Please someone explain to me why do amphoras have pointed bottoms?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
