Thanks to Science Daily for the Headline
I am fascinated by boats in ancient times, let’s face it would you want to bob around the ocean in an over optimistic badly designed and put together ,wooden death trap that probably had the sails pointing in the wrong direction? Either that or had hordes of slaves tied together with manacles who powered the boat with oars. By no means luxury travel. A Roman wreck in Croatian Waters has been examined by Scientists using sophisticated methods and it tells the story of boat repairs.
There was lots of potential for leaks and rotting wood caused by organisms, is it no wonder that some “adventurers” decided it was safer to follow the coastline than go too far out to sea.
However, some waterproofing methods were utilised and modern researchers have identified locations where the boats were likely to have been built and repaired because of the materials and what they contain. Pine Tar( Pitch) and Beeswax protected the hull. The formula made from beeswax and tar. This mixture known to Greek shipbuilders as zopissa -improves the adhesive’s flexibility and is easier to apply when hot.
By identifying the pollen and the plants that the resins contained scientists were able to identify the various repairs that were done to the ship on it’s journey and thus more accurately record it’s path.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading🙏
thenotsomightyom 