Development of Seagoing Vessels in the Ancient World
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 lake. Woven baskets lined with tar were sometimes used to carry food, clothing, and even babies across bodies of water. When desire and curiosity drove people to take longer trips on the water, they hollowed out logs and lashed them together. Early humans who lived where wood was scarce created usable craft by making sacks of animal skins, inflating them with air, then joining them together to make a raft.
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