Ancient Mediterranean

Digital Project

Ship model

Cat. No.

C79

Date

Uncertain (?)

Findspot

Limassol

Dimensions

L: 16.2 cm

Medium

terracotta boat model, no painted decoration.

Accession Number

Limassol district Museum 580/4

References

Dolan 2023 : 478-479, no. 70; Karageorghis 1996: 76, no.V(b):24, PL. XLIII: 6

Low hull with a flat bottom and gunwale. The stem is almost entirely reconstructed and its morphology is therefore purely conjectural. The stern rises vertically with an outward slant, extending above the gunwale into an inboard-facing bird-headed device with a long slender beak.

Although a cavity on the port side gives the appearance of an eye due to its location, the starboard side confirms that this is not intentional. The stem has been heavily reconstructed. Damage at its base potentially hints that the ship used to have a bow projection of some sort.

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 Unpublished DPhil Thesis.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

  • 3D Model View

  • port view

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