Ancient Mediterranean

Digital Project

Galley with shields

Cat. No.

C48

Date

Cypro-Archaic

Findspot

Amathus, tomb 429, no. 5

Dimensions

L: 23 cm; W: 3.8 cm; H (hull): 1.7 cm; H (stern): 5.4 cm; Th: 0.3 cm

Medium

terracotta boat model

Accession Number

Limassol district Museum AM T 429.5 (LM 1002)

References

Dolan 2023: 416-418, no. 40; Karageorghis 1986: 834, 836, fig. 41; 1996: 74, no.V(a):13, PL. XLII: 4

Long slender flat hull with a flat gunwale. Concave stempost with a pronounced inward slant integrating a prominent ram. The stem is broken off above gunwale level. High incurving sternpost that rises near vertically, then curves sharply inward parallel to the hull. On either side of the gunwale, at the bow and stern are disc-shaped pairs of shields. Half of the shields protrudes above the gunwale. On the starboard side at the stern, there is a moulded quarter rudder. There are no traces of painted decoration. The tomb has also provided a terracotta figurine of a nude female holding her breasts, of the Astarte type.

The tomb was found in a disturbed state. It is mentioned that several terracotta figurines were found, of which only two are specified in the report. In addition to the ship model, a nude female figurine holding her breasts of the Astarte type was found.

Basch identifies the ship as Phoenician (Karageorghis 1986: 834, note 25 personal communication)

Dolan, M. 2023. Ceci n'est pas un bateau: Reassessing terracotta boat models in Late Bronze and Iron Age Cyprus. University of Southhampton. Unpublished DPhil Thesis.

Karageorghis, V. 1986. “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1985,” BCH 110.2: 823-880.

―――. 1996. The coroplastic Art of ancient Cyprus. VI. Monsters, Animals and Miscellanea. Nicosia: A.G. Leventis Foundation.

  • 3D Model View

  • starboard view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • port view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • top view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bottom view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bow view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • stern view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • three quarter view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen