Ancient Mediterranean

Digital Project

Ship model

Cat. No.

A187

Date

Protogeometric (1050-900 B.C.)

Findspot

Athens, Acropolis (unknown context)

Dimensions

L: 14.5; H: 2.6; W: 5.6; Th: 0.4 cm

Medium

Fragmentary terracotta model broken roughly amidship. Light brown (7.5 YR 6/4) fabric, dark brown paint.

Accession Number

Athens National Museum, ακρ. 2667

References

Basch 1987: 141, 143, no. 299; Graef and Langlotz 1925: 257, tafel 113, no. 2667

Fragmentary ship model broken roughly amidships, with one extremity missing. Flat hull, with the surviving post (H: 3.4 cm) having a gentle outward incline at a 120o angle, ending in a flat undecorated extremity. A broken off area at the base of the post hints at a now missing bow projection, suggesting that the surviving extremity is most likely the bow. The interior details include three evenly spaced thwarts (rowing benches) positioned at gunwale level, with three ribs positioned immediately for'ard of each bench. There are traces of a fourth rib that is now missing, close to the break amidships. The exterior of the hull was painted solid with dark brown paint, with further traces of paint on two of the thwarts.

Basch has hypothesized that the model is probably of Archaid date (Basch 1987: 141). Its only parallel however (will many similarities) is a Protogeometric model from Lefkandi (A30).

Basch, L. 1987. Le musée imaginaire de la marine antique. Athens: Institut Hellénique pour la preservation de la tradition nautique.

Graef, B. and E. Langlotz. 1925. Die antiken Vasen von der Akropolis zu Athen. Band 1. Heft 4. Berlin: de Gruyter.

  • 3D Model View

  • copyright icon © Drawing by Y. Nakas Click for fullscreen
  • top view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • port view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • starboard view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bottom view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bow inside view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bow view

    copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • old drawing

    copyright icon © Graef and Langlotz 1925: tafel 113, no. 2667 Click for fullscreen