05-20-2003, 01:03 AM
Hi all,<br>
Most relevant points have already been mentioned in this discussion. Cost effective transport of bulk goods over long distances could only be done over water.<br>
Determining routes however is difficult, the start and endpoints are usually known, but indeed as mentioned, unless ancient shipwrecks are found in the Atlantic, proving they used that route is going to be difficult.<br>
The most probable, and well known route, for goods from the Med to Britain was across France: ship to the Rhone estuary, up the Rhone and via various other rivers to the Scheldt, Meuse or Rhine estuary from where it would be shipped to Britain.<br>
It is sometimes stated that trade took place across the Atlantic, but the entire voyage Med-Atlantic-Britain seems a bit unlikely. There certainly was trade to Cadiz (southern Spain, west of the Straits of Gibraltar) and quite probably coastal trade as well. Ancient shipping was mostly coastal, unless the direction of the wind was stable, landmarks were visible and/or the route well known as in the case of the outgoing voyage from Italy to Egypt. Those conditions were unavailable in the Atlantic. Coupled with treacherous currents in the Straits, the stormy nature of the Bay of Biscay and the conservative nature of ancient shipping that makes this route unlikely. But, as said, trade over shorter distances was certainly an option (for instance Brittany-Britain). <p>Greets<br>
<br>
Jasper</p><i></i>
Most relevant points have already been mentioned in this discussion. Cost effective transport of bulk goods over long distances could only be done over water.<br>
Determining routes however is difficult, the start and endpoints are usually known, but indeed as mentioned, unless ancient shipwrecks are found in the Atlantic, proving they used that route is going to be difficult.<br>
The most probable, and well known route, for goods from the Med to Britain was across France: ship to the Rhone estuary, up the Rhone and via various other rivers to the Scheldt, Meuse or Rhine estuary from where it would be shipped to Britain.<br>
It is sometimes stated that trade took place across the Atlantic, but the entire voyage Med-Atlantic-Britain seems a bit unlikely. There certainly was trade to Cadiz (southern Spain, west of the Straits of Gibraltar) and quite probably coastal trade as well. Ancient shipping was mostly coastal, unless the direction of the wind was stable, landmarks were visible and/or the route well known as in the case of the outgoing voyage from Italy to Egypt. Those conditions were unavailable in the Atlantic. Coupled with treacherous currents in the Straits, the stormy nature of the Bay of Biscay and the conservative nature of ancient shipping that makes this route unlikely. But, as said, trade over shorter distances was certainly an option (for instance Brittany-Britain). <p>Greets<br>
<br>
Jasper</p><i></i>
