Sales of Sail: The Production and Economy Behind Roman Sails

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions)", at the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Filling a gap in classical maritime literature by creating an economy of sails — how much they cost, where they were made, who made them — and the implications of such an economy, a sail production line is created through the formulation and analysis of a chaîne opératoire. Through a discussion of the primary base textiles used - linen, cotton, and wool - in relation to the archaeological evidence, the preparation of these fabrics is analysed. Key elements are established integral to sails and their cost. The prices of each of these elements are structured in a production line, and are used to determine the price of Nilotic river boat sail, as well as sails depicted in reliefs and described textually. These sails provide insight into the economic system and professions that supported seafaring as well as the greater industry of textile production.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2024   •
• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions)

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow