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The Mariners of Greece and The Near East Contemporaries (USA Grades 9-11 High School)
Through the Mariners of Greece program students can research the different project topics that cover the disciplines of science, history/social studies, geography, economics, art and literature. In the Mariners program students can research sunken vessels from the Archaic, Classical, and Helenistic periods, or study Homer's Odyssey for historical insights through classical literature. Students can also examine other significant trading cultures of that time period from the Near East who regularly traded with the Greek Mariners, such as the Nabataeans from Petra (now situated in modern Jordan). From these various frames of reference we will examine the lives and impact of the Mariners of Greece on their own society and on other Mediterranean cultures.
Mariners Project-Based Work
The Theme of Captain's Logbook - Using the idea of a Captain's Logbook, write a fictional account of the journey of a Greek trading vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean based on journeys, trade routes, and other archaeological findings of vessels from the pre-Classical, Classical and Hellenistic periods. Your fictional ship sets sail from Athens to the port of Herod's Harbor (near present day Gaza) to deliver.....
Create a map of the route you believe the ship was taking on this journey, and information on its cargo (cargo manifest), its value, crew, passengers, the vessel itself, encounters, dangers, and intermediate ports of call. Be reminded that ships generally tried to stay near the coasts or island-hopped on their way to their ultimate destinations. You can include information about weather patterns, winds, seasons, tides, sailing principles, rowing techniques, training of crew and captain. Make reference to common navigational tools of the day such as the charts, maps, celestial navigation, astrolabe, etc.
Some Suggested Bibliography References for the Captain's Logbook
- Muckelroy, Keith, ed. Archaeology Under Water: An Atlas of
the World's Submerged Sites. New York: McGraw-Hill Book
Company, 1980.
- Throckmorton, Peter, ed. History From the Sea: Shipwrecks and
Archaeology. London: Michael Beazley Publishers, 1987.
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, 1991
- Vichos, Yannis, Editor, The Annual Edition of the Hellenic Institute
of Marine Archaeology, Volume IV, 1996, Nikos Tsouchlos
Related Websites
Introduction
The sciences related to Mariners of Greece includes; underwater archaeology, navigation/astronomy, meteorology, shipbuilding/engineering, geography/cartography, and chemistry.
Exploration of these subjects can help us understand the technology and knowledge required for Marine transportation in those distant times. In turn, learning about the tools, work and influence of the Greek Mariners gives us insight into the Greek culture, and the history of the eastern Mediterranean at the approximate time of the Classical age of Greek civilization.
Student teams will examine and discuss the work of scientists and specialists
trained in these diverse disciplines. As scientists seek to draw conclusions
from studying fragmentary remnants, your project team members can apply their own
research findings to present a more complete picture of life in the Eastern
Mediterranean during this era of history.
The Missing Black Box
Given the obvious absence of a modern blackbox
cockpit voice and data recorder,report on the possible causes of your shipwreck
in question; eg. piracy/sabotage, weather, poor ship design, navigational
hazards in the area, enemy attack etc. Present your claims to your
classmates and be prepared to support your hypothesis with evidence
gathered from your research.
You can investigate ship design, type of vessel, tolerances, ability to maneuver,
cargo, estimated tonnage, capacity of vessel, weight distribution; estimated value
of cargo; likely port city of departure; source of goods/cargo; likely destination;
Typical age and experience of crew; specializations; training; chain
of command; owners; merchant class; passengers
Specific site location(s), topography/terrain of landmass and
surrounding waters; navigational hazards of the area; likelihood and use of
navigational beacons; navigational aids at their disposal
Time of day; time of year; weather/meteorology; tides, currents
Comparison of well known ships and shipwrecks of our present time; what they
were able to tell us about the people and cultures on board
Some Suggested Bibliography References for the Missing Black Box:
- Muckelroy, Keith, ed. Archaeology Under Water: An Atlas of the World's Submerged Sites. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1980.
- Throckmorton, Peter, ed. History From the Sea: Shipwrecks and Archaeology. London: Michael Beazley Publishers, 1987.
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, 1991
- Vichos, Yannis, Editor, The Annual Edition of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology, Volume IV, 1996, Nikos Tsouchlos
Related Websites
Sailing, Celestial Navigation/Astronomy:
Investigate the meteorology, weather patterns, winds, seasons, tides,
navigational hazards, geography, of Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Research sailing principles, rowing techniques, crew and captain
training (formal schools or programs of maritime trade, sailing, merchant
business, other specializations) of the time. Possibly compare and contrast
to modern principles and practices, as well as current climatological and
environmental conditions.
Investigate navigational tools in use in the time of the Greek Mariners,
e.g., astrolabe, charts, maps, cartography, celestial navigation, etc.
Compare and contrast to navigational aids of today, sextant, Loran, GPS, etc.
Some Suggested Bibliography References for Sailing, Celestial Navigation/Astronomy
- Muckelroy, Keith, ed. Archaeology Under Water: An Atlas of
the World's Submerged Sites. New York: McGraw-Hill Book
Company, 1980.
- Throckmorton, Peter, ed. History From the Sea: Shipwrecks and
Archaeology. London: Michael Beazley Publishers, 1987.
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of
the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press,
1991
Related Websites
Shipwreck Exploration
Underwater Archaeology and Related Technology
Review and discuss the history of underwater archaeology and research
and recovery techniques. Discovery and recovery methods, both modern and
traditional - (side scan ground penetrating sonar and radar, depth finders,
GPS, magnetometry, resistometry, old method fisherman and divers, accidental
finds - net dragging, etc.);
Discussion and demonstration of dive equipment and research vessel
technology for exploration and recovery. Shallow water vs. deep water
discovery/recovery systems and methods.
Study new computer program technologies for mapping sites, topographical
surveying, plotting, site preparation, photogrammetry, photography, and
video recording, etc.; Examine methods and means of digging and
excavating - exploratory trenches, stratigraphy of site, chisel, hammer and
other tools of the trade, compare and contrast to non-invasive approaches;
Removal methods of objects, desalinization, cleaning, reconstruction,
preservation, computer inventorying.
Dating Methods and Tools - both tried and true and new: Analyze findings
regarding the accuracy of various methods, the drawbacks, use of
multiple checks, (e.g., period art works or previously known artifacts or
methods from a single period or culture; anchors - morphological
differences, etc.); Compare and contrast methods of analyzing artifacts and/or site
materials - e.g., pottery - materials sciences, petrographic analysis of
clays, X-rays of corroded metals - such as astrolabe or other gears and
mechanical works, chemical analysis of wine residue or grains,
foodstuff, metals, etc.
Some Suggested Bibliography References for Underwater Archaeology
- Muckelroy, Keith, ed. Archaeology Under Water: An Atlas of the World's Submerged Sites. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1980.
- Throckmorton, Peter, ed. History From the Sea: Shipwrecks and Archaeology. London: Michael Beazley Publishers, 1987.
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, 1991
- Vichos, Yannis, Editor, The Annual Edition of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology, Volume IV, 1996, Nikos Tsouchlos
- Babits, Lawrence and Tilbury, Hans Van, Editors, Maritime Archaeology, A Reader of Substantive and Theoretical Contributions, Plenum Press, New York, New York, 1998
Related Websites
Shipbuilding, Engineering, Construction, Sea Trials
What were the engineering, design and construction techniques for ships
from the Bronze Age through late Hellenic? What materials were used,
sources of materials, types of craft that were built
for specialized uses, etc.?
Examine shipbuilding facilities, hull construction, rudders, masts,
sail-making, etc. and compare and contrast to modern sailing vessels.
What disciplines or specialization, education and training were required in
shipbuilding?
Classes can develop 2D or 3D computer models, physical models, or large
diagrams or blueprints for presentation. Classes can also show
aspects of construction through a photo or video montage.
Some Suggested Bibliography References for Shipbuilding, Engineering, Construction, Sea Trials
- Muckelroy, Keith, ed. Archaeology Under Water: An Atlas of the World's Submerged Sites. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1980.
- Throckmorton, Peter, ed. History From the Sea: Shipwrecks and Archaeology. London: Michael Beazley Publishers, 1987.
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, 1991
- Vichos, Yannis, Editor, The Annual Edition of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology, Volume IV, 1996, Nikos Tsouchlos
LITERATURE: Homer's Odyssey
Introduction
In this work students will examine facets of Homer's Odyssey, the heart
of all Greek literature about the ancient mariners. The focus will be on the
adventure books; including the meetings with the Phakaians, Polyphemos and Circe.
Students will track the navigational course of Odysseus from island to island,
as he makes his return from Troy to Ithaca using a variety of sources such as maps,
photographs, records of modern recreations of the journey (such as Tim Severin's)
and close textual examination of the Odyssey and other related works.
Suggested Literature Study Topics
At times the evidence can paint conflicting pictures about the possible
routes of Odysseus, and learned scholars tend to disagree about the
relationship between Homer's story and actual places. With the variety
of resources presented, OPEN students will make a case for their
opinions about where the locations of Odysseus's journeys
correspond to actual places.
Students can then create a virtual map of the journey. Students will need to support their hypothesis by creating clickable
buttons on their virtual map at the various stops along the journey. Each button
would provide an informational link about the location; thereby forming an argument
as to why these locations could have been actual stops on the journey of
Odysseus.
One of the episodes that can be tied to a "real place" involves the
moment when Poseidon petrifies the Phakaian ship after it brings
Odysseus back to Ithaka. If one sails into the harbor of Corfu, there
actually is a rock formation which looks very much like the type of
ship used to transport Odysseus. This landmark has been a tourist
attraction for hundred's of years because of the uncanny way in which it
mirrors the Odyssey.
Students will also examine the literary and thematic implications of this event --
such as Poseidon's reasons for punishing the Phakaians (and later his extended vendetta
against Odysseus), as well as the perhaps more obvious link between the
petrified ship and the archaeological excavation of the shipwreck. For
example, the way in which the archaeological treasures, which have been
transformed and yet preserved by the sea, are in fact locked in time just
like the "petrified ship."
Some Suggested Bibliographical References for Literature
- Homer, The Odyssey, Doubleday and Company, Translated by Robert Fitzgerald 1963, Garden City, New York
- Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War Penguin Classics, Translated by Rex Warner 1954, New York, New York
- Casson, Lionel, Ancient Mariners, Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, 1991
Related Websites
Student Presentations and Scripts
If teachers desire student presentationso of their research findings on these topics, student presentation should include a visual component. Create
colorful charts diagrams, maps or art, which are large and clear enough
for your international classmates to see.
If you are performing a skit or a re-enactment of an historical event,
costumes and props may count as the visual component of your project.
Costumes may be simple, but everyone who is playing a part must wear
some type of costume.
You may also want to consider making a backdrop, so that your
classroom looks more like the site of ancient undersea wreck, or even a
modern newsroom.
In that time, you will not be able to teach everything that you have learned
about your topic, so pick out the four or five most important points you
want to convey to your audience about your topic. Focus on those
ideas, and then decide what type of a structure would work best.
Plan exactly what each class member is going to say ahead of time, and
write it down.
Related Links For The Mariners Of Greece Programs
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture http://www.culture.gr/ - Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology (click first on Museums, Monuments, and Archaeological Sites of Hellas, then click on Archaeological Activity, then Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology) See also Archaeological Sites, Monuments, and Museum Sections
- The Metropolitan Museum
www.metmuseum.org
(First go To Greek and Roman Art, then "Relief: Girl With Dove", then coming soon - go to News - New Galleries for Archaic and Classical Greek Art)
Literature, Mariners of Greece
Petra and the Nabaetaens
Hellenic Alexandria
- Current March/April 1999 issue of "Archaeology" magazine, cover story - Diving on A Sunken City - Alexandria www.archaeology.org/
Other Greek and Related Ancient World Web Sites
Other Related Websites:
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