The Phoenician Trade Network
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THE PHOENICIAN TRADE NETWORK: TRACING A MEDITERRANEAN EXCHANGE SYSTEM A Thesis by NEIL NELSON PUCKETT Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Shelley Wachsmann Committee Members, Deborah Carlson Kevin Glowacki Head of Department, Cynthia Werner December 2012 Major Subject: Anthropology Copyright 2012 Neil Nelson Puckett ABSTRACT The Phoenicians were known as artisans, merchants, and seafarers by the 10th century B.C.E. They exchanged raw and finished goods with people in many cultural spheres of the ancient world and accumulated wealth in the process. A major factor that aided their success was the establishment of colonies along the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic coasts. These colonies, established by the eighth century B.C.E., supplied valuable raw materials to the major Phoenician cities in the Levant, while also providing additional markets abroad. Excavations at a myriad of these colonial sites have recovered materials that can be used to identify connections between the colonies, the Levantine cities, and non-Phoenician cultures across the ancient world. By establishing these connections the system of maritime exchange can be better understood and modeled as the Phoenician Trade Network. This network involved both direct and indirect exchange of raw and finished products, people, as well as political and cultural ideas. The colonies were involved in various activities including ceramics production, metallurgy, trade, and agriculture. Native peoples they interacted with provided valuable goods, especially metals, which were sent east to supply the Near Eastern Markets. The Phoenician Trade Network was a system of interconnected, moderately independent population centers which all participated in the advancement of Phoenician mercantilism and wealth. Ultimately, the network collapsed in the sixth century B.C.E. allowing other powers such as the Romans, Carthaginians, and Greeks to replace them as the dominant merchants of the Mediterranean. ii For my Grandparents Oma, Opa, and Grandma Liane Thank you for your unconditional support iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I would like to thank my committee chair Dr. Shelley Wachsmann. His support has helped me to become a better student and writer, and his advice continues to strengthen my skills as an archaeologist. The members of my committee, Dr. Deborah Carlson and Dr. Kevin Glowacki, have also been crucial for reaching this stage in my education. Both have improved the quality of my research and helped me to become more attentive to my goals. The Department of Anthropology has also provided unending support since my arrival at Texas A&M. Donny Hamilton has been particularly wonderful in his support of my efforts and his trust in my abilities as an employee and technician. Cindy Hurt and Rebekah Luza have repeatedly helped me work through the details of paperwork and department rules. Marco Valdez has been invaluable in providing both friendly and administrative support while writing and planning the steps towards my graduation. Lastly, but certainly no less important, has been the support that the faculty has provided in classes and research over the last three years. In addition to the faculty and staff I would like to thank both Mark Polzer and Jessi Halligan for providing me with invaluable experience in underwater archaeology. Mark gave me the opportunity to work on my first underwater project and shipwreck while also experiencing new countries, new cultures, and new archaeological techniques. Jessi brought me back to where my heart lies by sending me to the dark waters of the Aucilla River and excavating the oldest archaeological remains I have ever seen. Also iv my thanks goes to the Institute of Nautical Archaeology and the Center for the Study of the First Americans for their support of these projects. My time in graduate school would have been less complete without the support, guidance, and friendship of many of the department’s students. I would like to thank Brad Kruger, Ryan Lee, Heather Brown, Sam Koepnick, Josh Keene, Heather Hatch, and Will Moser for helping me to get situated and keeping me sane through my studies. Doug Inglis and Justin Parkoff joined me in working through the early trials of graduate school and proved to be great partners, encouraging colleagues, and kind friends. Of course, none of this could have ever happened without the support of my family. Dad has been ever encouraging of my academic goals and pushed me to accomplish my dreams. My stepmom has always encouraged responsibility and looking at the world realistically, but with hope. My mom, through years of hard work and encouragement has shown me that by ceaselessly working toward you goals, life will prove satisfying. And both my dad and my stepdad have shown me the value of enjoying life while nevertheless working hard. My grandparents have also been unceasing in their support, and I hope that this accomplishment continues to make them proud. My best friend, Ben, has been a source of encouragements, support, and entertainment my entire adult life. His example has helped me see that I could achieve my goals and succeed in life. While this stage of my education has put half a country between us, he has never ceased being one of my best sources of entertainment, inspiration, and friendship. v Lastly, but certainly not least, I am forever thankful to Sunshine, who has decided to join me on the walk of life. She has been remarkably understanding of the long hours and sleepless nights of writing and research. She encouraged me through every field project, and every day I ignored her to accomplish this task. To all these people and more, thank you for your support. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 Historical Background .......................................................................................... 2 Current State of Research ..................................................................................... 5 Methods ................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter Descriptions .......................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER II: SYRO-CANAANITES AND EARLY PHOENICIANS ....................... 21 Precursors to the Phoenician Trade Network ..................................................... 22 Historical Antecedents ....................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER III: WINDS, SHIPS, AND SEAFARING .................................................. 50 Winds and Currents ............................................................................................ 51 Ship Construction ............................................................................................... 70 Navigation .......................................................................................................... 82 CHAPTER IV: THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ................................................ 94 Trade with Empires ............................................................................................ 96 The Eastern Maritime Trade Network ............................................................. 119 CHAPTER V: THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN ............................................... 139 Carthage as a Major Entrepôt ........................................................................... 139 Central Mediterranean Trade Connections ...................................................... 149 The Italian Question ......................................................................................... 161 CHAPTER VI: THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN ............................................. 167 vii Western Mediterranean Exchange.................................................................... 169 Colonies in Iberia: Their Nature and Production ............................................. 189 Trading with Local Peoples: Indigenous Interactions in the West ................... 196 CHAPTER VII: INTERREGIONAL TRADE AND MATERIAL CULTURE TRADITIONS .............................................................................................................. 210 Regional Material Culture ................................................................................ 211 Interregional Connections ................................................................................ 222 CHAPTER VIII: CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................. 248 The Phoenician Trade Network ........................................................................ 248 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................