Anchors Thesis
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Weighing Down the Trade Routes Peta Knott Being a Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for a Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree with Honours at the University of Sydney School of Archaeology University of Sydney November 2003 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................... 4 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1. Background ......................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6 1.2 Parameters .................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 Seafaring ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Ships ........................................................................................................................... 7 1.5 Anchors ....................................................................................................................... 9 1.6 Trade ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.7 Trade Items ............................................................................................................... 14 1.8 Amphorae ................................................................................................................. 14 1.9 Physical Environment ............................................................................................... 15 1.10 Topography ............................................................................................................... 15 1.11 Climate ..................................................................................................................... 16 1.12 Winds ........................................................................................................................ 17 1.13 Tides and Currents .................................................................................................... 19 1.14 Navigation ................................................................................................................ 20 1.15 Site Types ................................................................................................................. 21 1.16 Site Formation .......................................................................................................... 23 1.17 Previous Research..................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 2. Anchor Design and Purpose .............................................................................. 28 2.1 Methodology for Catalogue ...................................................................................... 28 2.2 Anchor Typology ...................................................................................................... 28 2.3 Stone Anchors........................................................................................................... 29 2.4 Stone stocks .............................................................................................................. 30 2.5 Lead Stocks .............................................................................................................. 31 2.6 Iron anchors .............................................................................................................. 32 2.7 Anchor Construction ................................................................................................. 34 2.8 Anchor Loss .............................................................................................................. 36 2 Chapter 3. Anchors A-weigh: Mediterranean-wide Analysis ........................................... 38 3.1 Chronology ............................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Geographical distribution of anchor types. ............................................................... 41 3.3 Anchor Type to Site Type ........................................................................................ 44 3.4 Geographical Site Distribution ................................................................................. 45 3.5 Weight ...................................................................................................................... 46 3.6 Regional types of anchors ......................................................................................... 48 3.7 Trade Patterns in anchors ......................................................................................... 50 3.8 Lead and Iron Anchors ............................................................................................. 50 3.9 Production sites of anchors ....................................................................................... 51 3.10 Study Achievements and Challenges........................................................................ 52 Chapter 4. Conclusions and Future Studies ....................................................................... 53 Appendix 1 - Glossary of Nautical Terms ........................................................................... 55 Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................................. 56 Stone Anchors ..................................................................................................................... 57 Stone Stocked Anchors........................................................................................................ 97 Lead Stocked Anchors ....................................................................................................... 102 Metal Teeth ........................................................................................................................ 118 Iron Anchors ...................................................................................................................... 119 Pyramidal Anchors ............................................................................................................ 124 Appendix 3 ........................................................................................................................... 126 Pyramidal anchors ............................................................................................................. 126 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 128 Plates .................................................................................................................................... 134 3 Acknowledgments The author would like to express her appreciation to Ted Robinson, Cosmos Coroneos, Lesley Beaumont, Tom Hillard, Kieran Hosty, Beatrice McLoughlan, Stavros Paspalas, Felicity Knox, Chris Lewczak, Kim Mackey, Nic Wright, Robert Knott, Peggy Knott and Jonathan Knott. 4 Abstract This study aims to establish anchors as a new category of archaeological artefact for revealing information about ancient trade during a defined period in history. To do this, existing information on anchors from land and sea will be collated to create an anchor database from which existing anchor typologies will be re-examined and further analysis conducted. The distribution of anchors geographically and chronologically will be examined to show trade route patterns. The weights of anchors will be examined over time and space to show changing ship type, sizes and seafaring methods. All of this information will be compared with existing trade information from ancient sources and terrestrial archaeology. The overall aim is to provide an updated anchor resource to allow dating and provenancing of anchors found in the future which can then assist in the interpretation and study of associated artefacts. 5 Chapter 1. Background 1.1 Introduction Mediterranean seafaring played an integral role in the rise of certain societies to dominance during the Bronze Age through to the end of the Roman Empire. Seafaring activities included military transport and warfare, colonisation and the exchange of goods, however the nature of the archaeological evidence tends towards the study of trade routes between Mediterranean cultures rather than their military conquest or colonisation. This study will examine sea-based trade patterns in the Mediterranean using the evidence of anchors found primarily in shipwreck context but also in refuge, anchorage and land sites. Information from land-based trade routes will provide supporting evidence but it will not be a comprehensive analysis of this aspect. An anchor catalogue will be established as a basis for the analysis of anchor artefacts. The first chapter outlines the background information on: the parameters of this study, seafaring, ship types, anchors and their functioning, trade, trade goods, the physical environment, navigation, site formation and site type and previous research on anchors. The second chapter will outline the anchor typologies with examples from the catalogue. The third chapter consists of a Mediterranean wide analysis of the catalogue