Overview

The first seagoing vessels were developed by the Egyptians, followed by other peoples living on the Mediterranean Sea. These peoples developed seagoing vessels when they decided to venture out onto the seas in order to trade, conquer other lands, find new resources, and or simply to see what was beyond the next island. Seagoing travel was not possible until several inventions refined early shipbuilding techniques to make ships stronger and more seaworthy. From then on, commerce and contact expanded between the peoples of the Mediterranean, then throughout Europe and North Africa, and this commerce and contact eventually led to an exploration and understanding of the ancient world.

Background

The first vehicle to take to the water with a person aboard was probably a log, and the water crossed probably a river or a...