Ancient Reed Boat Recreated and Sailed Off Carmel Coast
Researchers from the University of Haifa have successfully reconstructed and sailed a four-meter-long reed boat, designed to mimic vessels used by inhabitants of the Carmel coast approximately 8,000 years ago. The experiment, conducted off the coast of Neve Yam, took place near the submerged remains of a Neolithic settlement from the same period, now underwater due to sea-level rise since the end of the last Ice Age.
This project is part of an international research initiative, funded by the European Union and led by Professor David Prizem of the University of Haifa's School of Archaeology and Maritime Civilizations. The study aims to understand how ancient coastal populations adapted to their environment and to climate change. Evidence from dozens of Neolithic sites discovered along the Carmel coast, dating between 10,000 and 7,000 years ago, including fishing hooks, net weights, and fish bones, indicates that these early inhabitants were skilled mariners who utilized deep-sea resources and even settled Cyprus.
However, no direct evidence of watercraft from this era has been found in the Eastern Mediterranean. To address this gap, Master's student Shi Niv conducted an experimental archaeology project, investigating potential boat-building technologies and materials available to the Neolithic people. Niv examined various historical and ethnographic accounts of similar societies living in marshy, coastal environments.
His research concluded that a reed boat was the most plausible type of vessel. Initially, a scaled-down model was built and tested for buoyancy and seaworthiness, guided by Professor Debby Zwickel, head of the Maritime Civilizations department. After the model proved successful, a full-sized, four-meter reed boat was constructed using approximately 1,600 reeds. The reeds were dried, cleaned, bundled, and woven together to create a stable, buoyant structure.
The successful sailing of the reconstructed boat off Neve Yam, symbolically in front of the submerged settlement, demonstrated its stability and ability to carry a person and equipment. While not definitive proof of how these ancient boats looked, the experiment highlights the effective use of local resources for maritime travel and adds a significant layer to understanding how these ancient coastal communities thrived.
