This is the first book to deal comprehensively with the archaeology of rafts, boats, and ships from the Stone Age to Medieval times. All the regions of the world are covered, from Atlantic Europe and the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the China Sea, and the Pacific.
Review
"As a general introduction to early watercraft the book is a pioneer effort, and it has much information to offer. McGrail has assembled a huge amount of material which is handled in a clear and systematic way.... The book is a valuable reference work, and a good introduction to the subject."-- International Journal of Nautical Archaeology
"McGrail's knowledge and explanation of hardly known sea and river craft and maritime trivia is particularly original.... A highly disciplined book suitable for the informed public and university students alike.... McGrail is one of maritime archaeology's rarities: a scholar proficient both in translating the meaning behind worked planks and carpentry marks preserved along rotted sections of hulls, and in reconstructing a ship's history from its shape and provenance to speed and function. This expertise comes from years of archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork."-- Times Higher Education Supplement
"This is a remarkable tour de force on watercraft through history.... Every maritime historian must have a copy of the book for both immediate reference and research. This text can serve as the ideal baseline for maritime history and ship construction courses. Given the illustrations and depth of coverage, this book would be cheap at twice the price."-- Choice
"An extraordinary encyclopaedia of nautical archaeology based on extensive documentation.... A superb, long-awaited book, of unique methodological richness, incorporating the latest research, taking account of all the 'nautical civilisations' of Egypt, Arabia, the Mediterranean, Atlantic Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, China, America."--Eric Rieth, Neptunia
"McGrail is Britain's leading authority on maritime archaeology.... Here he provides a substantial base for the integration of the maritime subdivision of archaeology into its proper place as part of the mainstream of the discipline."--Basil Greenhill, Times Literary Supplement
"This is a joyous source book for anyone who appreciates academic clarity.... A large work of distinguished scholarship by a senior maritime archaeologist."-- Journal of Navigation
About the Author
Seán McGrail was in the Royal Navy from 1946 to 1968 and is a Master Mariner. He is also currently visiting Professor in the Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, carries out fieldwork in South Asia for the Society for South Asian Studies (British Academy), and was formerly Professor of Maritime Archaeology, University of Oxford.
This is the first book to deal comprehensively with the archaeology of rafts, boats, and ships from the Stone Age to Medieval times. All the regions of the world are covered, from Atlantic Europe and the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the China Sea, and the Pacific.
Review
"As a general introduction to early watercraft the book is a pioneer effort, and it has much information to offer. McGrail has assembled a huge amount of material which is handled in a clear and systematic way.... The book is a valuable reference work, and a good introduction to the subject."-- International Journal of Nautical Archaeology
"McGrail's knowledge and explanation of hardly known sea and river craft and maritime trivia is particularly original.... A highly disciplined book suitable for the informed public and university students alike.... McGrail is one of maritime archaeology's rarities: a scholar proficient both in translating the meaning behind worked planks and carpentry marks preserved along rotted sections of hulls, and in reconstructing a ship's history from its shape and provenance to speed and function. This expertise comes from years of archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork."-- Times Higher Education Supplement
"This is a remarkable tour de force on watercraft through history.... Every maritime historian must have a copy of the book for both immediate reference and research. This text can serve as the ideal baseline for maritime history and ship construction courses. Given the illustrations and depth of coverage, this book would be cheap at twice the price."-- Choice
"An extraordinary encyclopaedia of nautical archaeology based on extensive documentation.... A superb, long-awaited book, of unique methodological richness, incorporating the latest research, taking account of all the 'nautical civilisations' of Egypt, Arabia, the Mediterranean, Atlantic Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, China, America."--Eric Rieth, Neptunia
"McGrail is Britain's leading authority on maritime archaeology.... Here he provides a substantial base for the integration of the maritime subdivision of archaeology into its proper place as part of the mainstream of the discipline."--Basil Greenhill, Times Literary Supplement
"This is a joyous source book for anyone who appreciates academic clarity.... A large work of distinguished scholarship by a senior maritime archaeologist."-- Journal of Navigation
About the Author
Seán McGrail was in the Royal Navy from 1946 to 1968 and is a Master Mariner. He is also currently visiting Professor in the Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, carries out fieldwork in South Asia for the Society for South Asian Studies (British Academy), and was formerly Professor of Maritime Archaeology, University of Oxford.