Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T10:10:18.164Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Marsa-el-Brega: a fatal port of call. Evidence for shipwreck, anchorage and trade in antiquity in the Gulf of Sirte

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2015

Chris Preece
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper outlines the recording and analysis of ceramic material (predominantly amphorae) from a scattered, shallow wreck site at Marsa-el-Brega. Evaluation of the underwater finds suggests the existence of at least two wrecks, one dating to the first century AD, the other to the sixth century AD. In addition, the role of Marsa-el-Brega is analysed with reference to the evidence on land which includes a possible piscina, a settlement and a headland anchorage. An argument for commerce along the Gulf littoral is postulated, with other possibilities for anchorage proposed, and the possibility of transshipment to other destinations is considered.

Type
Articles
Information
Libyan Studies , Volume 31 , 2000 , pp. 29 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arthur, P. 1982. Amphora production in the Tripolitanian Gebel. Libyan Studies 13: 61–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bailey, D. 1985. Excavations at Sidi Khrebish, Benghazi (Berenice) vol. 3, part 2: The lamps, Tripoli/London.Google Scholar
Bass, G. and Van Doorninck, F. 1982. Yassi Ada, Volume 1: a seventh century Byzantine shipwreck, Texas.Google Scholar
Bates, O. 1914. The Eastern Libyans, London.Google Scholar
Blue, L. 1997. Cyprus and Cilicia: the typology and palaeogeography of second millenium harbors, in Res Maritimae 4.Google Scholar
Brogan, O. and Smith, D. 1984. Ghirza: a Libyan Settlement in the Roman Period, Tripoli.Google Scholar
Dean, M., Ferrari, B., Oxley, B., Redknap, M., Watson, M. & K., (eds) 1992. Archaeology Underwater, the NAS Guide to Principles and Practice, London.Google Scholar
Dent, J. 1985. Burial practices in Cyrenaica, in Barker, G., Lloyd, J., and Reynolds, J. (eds), Cyrenaica in Antiquity (Society for Libyan Studies occasional papers 1, BAR Int. Series 236), Oxford.Google Scholar
Flemming, N. 1980. Cities under the Mediterranean, in Muckelroy, K. (ed.), Archaeology Underwater, London.Google Scholar
Flinder, A. 1976. A Piscina at Caesarea. A Preliminary Survey. Israel Exploration Journal 26: 77–80.Google Scholar
Fulford, M. 1989. To east and west: the Mediterranean trade of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania in antiquity. Libyan Studies 20: 169–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fulford, M. and Peacock, D. 1994. Excavations at Carthage: the British Mission vol. 2.2, OxfordGoogle Scholar
Goodchild, R. 1976(a). Boreum of Cyrenaica, in Reynolds, J. M. (ed.), Libyan Studies, Select Papers by R. G. Goodchild, London: 187–194.Google Scholar
Goodchild, R. 1976 (b). Mapping Roman Libya, in Reynolds, J. M. (ed.), Libyan Studies, Select Papers by R. G. Goodchild, London: 145–154.Google Scholar
Goodchild, R. 1976 (c). Arae Philaenorum and Automalax in Reynolds, J.M. (ed.), Libyan Studies, Select Papers by R. G. Goodchild, London: 155–172.Google Scholar
Grant, M. 1971. Gladiators, London.Google Scholar
Hayes, J. 1972. Late Roman Pottery, London.Google Scholar
Hayes, J. 1980. Turkish Clay Pipes: a Provisional Typology, in Davey, P. (ed.), The Archaeology of the Clay Tobacco Pipe IV (BAR International Series), Oxford: 3–10.Google Scholar
Haynes, D. 1959. The Antiquities of Tripolitania, Tripoli.Google Scholar
Hulin, L. 1999. Marmaric Wares: some preliminary remarks. Libyan Studies 30: 11–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunter, J. 1994. ‘Maritime Culture’: notes from the land. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 23.4: 261–264.Google Scholar
Jones, G. and Little, J. 1971. Coastal settlement in Cyrenaica. Journal of Roman Studies 61: 64–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kazianes, D., Simossi, A. and Haniotes, F. 1990. Three amphora wrecks from the Greek world. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 19.3: 225–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keay, N. 1989. The amphorae, in Dore, J. and Keay, N.: Sabratha II.1. Amphorae, Coarse Pottery and Building Materials (Society for Libyan Studies monograph), London.Google Scholar
Keay, S. 1984. Late Roman Amphorae in the Western Mediterranean. A Typology and Economic Study: the Catalan Evidence (BAR International Series 196), Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennet, D. 1994. Pottery as evidence for trade in medieval Cyrenaica. Libyan Studies 25: 275–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenrick, P. 1986. Excavations at Sabratha 1948-1951, London.Google Scholar
Little, J. 1978. Harbours and settlement in Cyrenaica. Libyan Studies 9: 43–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lloyd, J. 1989. Urban archaeology in Cyrenaica 1969-1989: the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Libyan Studies 20: 77–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Long, L. 1992. L' épave antique d' Apollonia. Les Dossiers d'Archeologie 167: 70–77.Google Scholar
Mattingly, D. 1985. Olive oil production in Roman Tripolitania, in Buck, D. and Mattingly, D. (eds), Town and Country in Roman Tripolitania (BAR International Series 274), Oxford: 27–46.Google Scholar
Mattingly, D. 1995. Tripolitania, London.Google Scholar
Milne, G. 1985. Port of Roman London. London.Google Scholar
Nicolaou, K. and Flinder, A. 1976. Ancient Fish-Tanks at Lapithos, Cyprus. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration 5: 133–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parker, A. 1980. The preservation of ships and artefacts in ancient Mediterranean wreck-sites. Progress in Underwater Science 5: 41–70.Google Scholar
Parker, A. 1981. Stratification and contamination in ancient Mediterranean shipwrecks. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 10: 309–335.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parker, A. 1992. Ancient Shipwrecks of the Mediterranean and the Roman Provinces (BAR International Series 580), Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peacock, D. and Williams, D. 1986. Amphorae and the Roman Economy, an Introductory Guide, London.Google Scholar
Preece, C. 1999. Boreum, an educational resource. Libyan Studies 30: 53–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riley, J. 1979. The coarse pottery from Berenice, in Lloyd, J. (ed.), Excavations at Sidi Khrebish, Benghazi (Berenice) (Supplements to Libya Antiqua V), vol. II, Tripoli.Google Scholar
Riley, J. 1981. Amphoras in the Apollonia Museum Store. Libyan Studies 12: 75–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, R. 1985. Tobacco Pipes of Corinth and the Athenian Agora. Hesperia 54: 149–203CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salellas, P. 1989. Un abocador del segle V D.C. en el fòrum provincial de Tàrraco (Memories d' excavacio 2), Tarragona.Google Scholar
Scorpan, C. 1976. Origini si linii evolutive in ceramica romano-bizantina (sec. IV-VII) din spatiul mediteranean si pontic. Pontica 9: 155–85.Google Scholar
Van der Werff, J. 1978. Amphores de tradition punique à Uzita. Bulletin van de Vereeniging tot bevordering der kennis van de Antieke Beschaving te ‘S-Gravenhage 52.3: 171–200.Google Scholar
Wilson, A. I. 1999. Commerce and industry in Roman Sabratha. Libyan Studies 30: 29–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
York, R. 1973. A survey of harbours in Cyrenaica. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 2.1: 200–201.Google Scholar