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| The Ship |
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"Phoenicia" will
attempt to re-create the Phoenicians' epic voyage around the continent of
Africa in a traditionally built replica Phoenician / Mediterranean
vessel.
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Track the ships progress via Phoenicia's 'Yellowbrick' satellite
tracking device |
Research and Design |
| Over the
last two years the Phoenicia team have been researching archaeological
data of the Phoenician era. Having researched the type of vessel
which would have been used for such a voyage, a number of leading
maritime archaeologists and historians have been consulted to develop
the design specification based on archaeological data from shipwrecks of
this era (predominately the detail of Jules Verne 7 & M'agan Michael
wrecks). |
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The Phoenicia Ship
Elevation Plan
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Shipwrecks found in the Mediterranean have provided detail as to the
likely dimensions and construction methods used within ships of this
era. Other artefacts such as coins and pottery have also been
examined in a thorough investigation of Phoenician artefacts to ensure
that the design and construction techniques for this replica vessel
will be authentic
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Building the Ship |
| Khalid Hammoud, a renowned wooden
shipbuilder, has been selected from a number of candidates to manage the
construction of the replica vessel in the ancient Phoenician city state
of Arwad. Khalid works with a small team of shipwrights and 5-10
people will be working on the ship at any one time. The build
process will be assisted by regular visits from members of the design
team. |
Khalid Hammoud
The Phoenicia ship builder |
Khalid and his team will use traditionally sourced
materials (including Aleppo pine, handmade olive wood tenons and iron
nails) according to the design specification. Information on the
materials has been sourced from shipwrecks of this era including an
exclusive study on the Jules Verne 7 shipwreck, courtesy of Professor
Patrice Pomey. |
Ship Specifications
Initial dimensions - these are
subject to change
The Ship Building Process
The ship building began in mid November 2007 on Arwad
Island when the keel of the Phoenicia was laid. Over a period of nine months
the ship was successfully constructed ready for the ambitious expedition.
Sea trails took place in August 2008 before Phoenicia set off for Egypt. You
can view the photographic documentation of the ship building in the
expedition
Photo Gallery .
Follow the progress of the
Phoenicia project
Please register for the
Phoenicia Newsletter
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