Sails and Rigging of Ancient Egyptian Ships from the Predynastic Period to the End of Antiquity

Belov, Alexander

This monograph provides an overview of the evolution of ancient Egyptian sails and rigging for a period covering well over three thousand years. The existing body of research, which remains patchy, is reassessed and brought together into a single volume. The author draws on his own personal sailing expertise and on an extensive database of Ancient Egyptian nautical iconography, including many rich illustrations. The available evidence strongly suggests that the sail developed independently in ancient Egypt, with influences from other cultures only becoming clear towards the end of the dynastic period. This monograph will appeal to ancient navigation specialists as well as the wider Egyptological community. It includes a glossary of maritime terms and schematic drawings illustrating the main elements of rigging for each of the periods considered. Overall, it provides an invaluable resource for any scholar interested in the development of watercrafts in Ancient Egypt