Product Description

After an introduction to the topic of maritime archaeology and account of the way maritime archaeologists work, the author describes the building and use of rafts, boats and ships in north-west Europe up to about 1500. The evidence for early sea voyages and for navigation without instruments is surveyed, and there follows a summary of present knowledge about early water transport in the Mediterranean, Arabia, India, south-east Asia, China, Australia the south Pacific and the Americas. There is a glossary of technical terms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #178651 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 72 pages

About the Author
Sean McGrail served in the Royal navy from 1945 to 1968, the last sixteen years as a pilot in the fleet Air Arm, and qualified as a Master Marina. After reading for a BA at the University of Bristol, he became Assistant Keeper at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and subsequently Chief Archaelogist and head of the museum's archaeological research centre. He moved to the University of Oxford as Professor of Maritime Archaeoogy in 1986 and since 1993 he has been Visiting Professor for the Centre for Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton.

Customer Reviews

Concise survey of the archaeology of vessels
An up to date survey of archaeological knowledge about the boats and ships used by early man, from the Neolithic to the Mediaeval periods. Covers methods of construction, with regional variations, early navigation and maps, waterborne trade and harbours. The coverage is brief and concise, in only 72 pp, but is a good inexpensive introduction both for children and for adults who need a short guide to this field. Revised and updated from an earlier edition, the illustrations are good and appropriate. Up to date bibliography and list of places to visit. The author is an established expert in this field, and his book can be recommended. The binding is not robust.