PORT ARCHAEOLOGY

PORT ARCHAEOLOGY

Leptis Magna - A quick survey of the coast north of the Leptis Magna harbour was conducted on August 24-26, 2000, thanks to the kind hospitality of Prof. André Laronde heading the Mission Archéologique Française en Libye. This survey was carried out over about 1 km from the western beach to the lighthouse. Several port structures were identified, such as a stone mooring device and a berm breakwater. The document also provides some useful elements from Bartoccini's unique work (1958).

The Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (www)

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Alexandria - The archaeological investigations carried out in Alexandria Bay by Franck Goddio of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology have revealed the harbour complex from the time of the first Ptolemies. These royal ports sheltered the Ptolemies' fleets of warships consisting of several hundred galleys, some of which were extraordinarily large. The complex consists of three ports, probably built between 300 and 250 B.C. during the Hellenistic period, more than 200 years before the arrival of Julius Caesar in 48 B.C. They are thus more than 200 years older than the harbours that have been studied so far, such as that at Caesarea (Israel).

Unfortunately there are no extant documents from the period concerning the design of these ports, and we are now forced to make assumptions on the basis of present knowledge and on the principal ancient text concerning maritime structures, by the Roman author Vitruvius.

The main aspects that are of interest to the harbour design specialist are as follows:

Choice of site. A port is not built simply anywhere. It forms an interface between the land and sea and its location depends on traffic in these two areas and on certain natural conditions.

Overall layout. The layout of a port depends on navigation conditions (winds and waves) and on the types of ship that use it (sailing ships, galleys). The size of the ships defines the acceptable wave-induced disturbance and the possible need to build a breakwater providing protection against storms. The number of ships using the port defines the length of quays and the area of the basins required.

Harbour structures. The ships' draught defines the depth at the quayside and thus the height and structure of the quay. Locally available materials (wood, stone and mortar) and construction methods define the specific structures for a region and historical period.

The Franck Goddio Society (www)

Gaston JONDET's report (1916, en français, 11 Mo, pdf)

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