An introduction

This edition brings together all the archaeological knowledge of the world's boats and ships for the benefit of the maritime archaeologist, as well as for the general reader and enthusiast, the historian and the student. But is is much more than a catalogue of the world's boat finds. The author has collated all the available evidence on the evolution of boat- and shipbuilding through the ages, and examines it as a crucial part of the development of changing civilizations. The book has two central themes: the classification of boats according to their structures, and the problems associated with building these boats and the solutions that were discovered. Having described the various roots of shipbuilding - the raft boat, the skin boat, the bark boat and the dugout - the author goes on to describe the aspects of evolution up to the 15th century and the beginning of written records.
Nautical archaeology has moved on at a great pace since the book was first published in 1976: the new discoveries at Roskilde and at the Nydem site, at Red Bay, Labrador and Bermuca; the building of the classical trireme; the replicas of Columbus's ships; and the many cog discoveries in recent years. These are just some of the fresh subjects covered in this volume. The book should be a reference for all maritime enthusiasts, and should be a useful work for all students of archaeology. The contents include introductory chapters outlining the general theory and background of boat building. The following chapters cover the four roots of boat building, and the main part of the book covers aspects of the evolution of boats and vessels in Europe and North America. Basil Greenhill is the author of "The Merchant Schooners" and "The Archaeology of the Boat" and the consultant editor to the "Conway's History of the Ship" series.