Phoenicia is a bold and
ambitious expedition which seeks to rediscover and document the
secrets of ancient Phoenician mariners. It will re-create one of
mankind's greatest exploratory voyages in the history of seafaring by
bravely attempting to sail the reconstructed Phoenician/Mediterranean
vessel around Africa and ultimately back to the United Kingdom.
The project aims in brief:
To build the first reconstruction of a
large Phoenician/Mediterranean vessel and attempt to re-create the first
circumnavigation of ancient Africa.
To publicise the maritime skills and
achievements of the Phoenicians through a wide range of media and to assist
in the preservation of an ancient cultural heritage.
To test, from an exercise in
experimental archaeology, the performance characteristics of the
Phoenician/Mediterranean ship under sail.
To document the practical issues
experienced in building and sailing a ship of this type.
To provide a number of young adults
with the opportunity to participate in a once in a lifetime adventure and
international community project.
To conclude the expedition by sailing
the ship to the UK and exhibiting the vessel in one of the country's leading
museums.