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Minoan Seafaring - The Flotilla Fresco
17
Figure 1
The Ships of the Minoans
A look at the types of ships seen in the Flotilla Fresco
The Minoans
Thera and Akrotiri
The Bronze Age Mediterranean
The Flotilla Fresco
The Frescoe can be found in the ... in the West House.
The fresco shows a total of 11 distinct ships, in a range of sizes and of varying level of detail and intricacy. At either end is a settlement, and the procession appears to be travelling from the left to the right.
XXX belives that... (find an argument)
The Flotilla Fresco
Fresco pt 1
Figure 2
1 - Oared Ship
Figure 3
Boat 1
This first ship is one of the more simple depictions. It shows a boat with 5 seated figures holding oars, and 1 standing, holding a long pole. The boat has a longer pointed prow, and an awning (??) covering the rowers.
However, Morgan argues that this ship is the only one being propelled by oras, as the figures face the Helmsman, rather than ahead (Morgan, 1998, pp. 127)
2 -
Figure 4
This ship has several visible structures. From left to right we see a rudder extending behind, a raised cabin structure, and an awning covering the rowers. The prow extends forwards and up, and has 2 decorative objects attached. The hull is painted white. There are 12(??) seated rowers, and 1 standing with a pole.
However, Morgan argues that this ship, and all the others, are being paddled, and that no Oars are visible in the fresco (Morgan, 1998, pp. 121)
Boat 2
3 -
Figure 5
Boat 3
This ship also has a rudder, a cabin, and an awning. It also has a mast, with ropes extending from the top, down to the awning. On the prow a spiral decoration is visible. The hull is white and purple (??). There are 9 (??) rowers, and 1 standing figure.
Morgan argues that the masts were retracable, since they are only visible in 3 of these ships, and would be necessary for longer journeys (Morgan, 1998, pg. 123)
Fresco pt 2
Figure 6
4 -
Figure 7
This ship is remarkably similar to boat 2, however only 2 rowers are visible, although 18 oars can be seen. The Helmsman is visible, as is the spiral decoration on the prow.
Boat 4
5 - Flagship
Figure 8
Boat 5
This appears to be on of the more decorative boats. As well as the rudder and awning, it has a visible mast. Instead of simple lines to denote ropes, there are yellow decorations. While the seated figures are in the places usually filled by rowers, they do not look the same as those seen in other boats. The awning is blue, unlike others. The prow has 4 yellow sun decorations, while the white hull is painted with a yellow decoration.
Morgan argues that this ship is the Flagship of the fleet (Morgan, 1998, pp. 122)
6 -
Figure 9
Boat 6
This ship is the only one in the procession under sail, and is also one of the most decorated. It lacks the rudder, and paddles, with the sail presumably taking their place. The complex system of ropes required by the sail is visible, instead of one Helmsman, there are two, both holding the long guiding (??) pole. The prow lacks the decoration seen on many other ships. Instead of an awning is red painted box (??). The hull is white, with 7 blue birds flying along. Morgan however, argues that these are actualy stylised lotus blooms (Morgan, 1998, pp. 131)
Fresco pt 3
Figure 10
7 -
Figure 11
Many of the features on this boat are harder to make out, as damage makes it darker. However, it appears to follow the same patterns as the other boats, with a rudder, a cabin, Helmsman, awning, rowers, and prow decoration. The hull appears to be yellow, with a band of blue decoration.
Boat 7
8 -
Figure 12
This is another formulaic ship, with rudder, cabin, Helmsman, awning, and rowers. The prow does not appear to have any decoration. The hull is white, with blue and yellow decorative bands at the top.S
Boat 8
9 to 11 -
Figure 13
Boats 9-11
These 3 boats are the most simple of all visible in the fresco. They are red, with a pointed and raised prow, but no decoration, rudder, or further detail. The boat to the left has 2 figures, which appear to be rowing the boat. The other two appeared to be moored within the harbour of the settlement.
Difficulties
Problems
Inaccurate Reconstruction
The fresco was reconstructed by XXX in XXXX. It is not uncommon for frescoes to be inaccurately reconstructed, as is the case with the Blue Boy fresco (ref here). There is a possibility that this fresco has been poorly reconstructed, adding details that did not exist, rearranging elements, or leaving out important parts. Any of this could affect the interpretation of the fresco.
Inaccurate Reconstruction
Interpretation
Since we lack any physical Bronze Age evidence, such as remaining hulls (Wachsmann, 804), any understanding that we gain from studying the fresco is based purely on the interpretation made by that scholar.
Interpretation
Representation
Ships would be simplified, to allow for a clear, and not confusing painting. Therefore, it is possible that pats of this procession would have been added, changed or removed. The ships shown are represenattions, and are possibly not intended to be an exact representation - the author would likely never have dreamed that future scholars would try to define Theran ship building, through working backwards from their paintings.
Representation
Theran Seafaring
It is unclear what the stern devices were used for, and there have been a range of interpretations put forward. These include that it was a platform to aid stabilisation, a ram, or a launching device (Wachsmann, 1980, pp. 291)
Unlike modern ships, the hull of a Bronze Age Aegean ship would be built first, with the supporting frame built afterward (Wachsmann, 2000, pp.803).
Theran Seafaring
Bibliography
- Morgan, L. (1988) The Miniature wall Paintings of Thera: A Study in Aegean Culture and Iconography Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Wachsmann, S. (1980) ‘The Thera waterborne procession reconsidered’ The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration. 9(4). Pp. 287-295
- Wachsmann, S (2000) 'Some Notes on Meditterranean Seafaring During the Second Millenium BC' in Sherrat, S, 'The Wall Painting of Thera' pp. 803 - 824, Athens
- Wachsmann, S. (2019) On the Interpretation of Watercraft in Ancient Art Available at: https://moodle.uwtsd.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/359198/mod_resource/content/1/On_the_Interpretation_of_Watercraft_in_A%20%281%29.pdf (Accessed 4th April 2020)
Bibliography
Image Bibliography
- Figure 1 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) Minoan Admirals Flotilla Fresco - Thera Scene Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Art_Flotilla_Thera_Fresco.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)
- Figure 2 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 3 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 4 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 5 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) Minoan Admirals Flotilla Fresco - Thera Scene Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Art_Flotilla_Thera_Fresco.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)
- Figure 6 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 7 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 8 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 9 - Kosmossociety () The Theoretical Ship Available at: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=38093 (Accessed: 1st April 2020)
- Figure 10 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) The Ringed Islands of Thera - Santorini, Greece Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Islands_of_Thera.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)
- Figure 11 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) Minoan Admirals Flotilla Fresco - Thera Scene Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Art_Flotilla_Thera_Fresco.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)
- Figure 12 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) Minoan Admirals Flotilla Fresco - Thera Scene Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Art_Flotilla_Thera_Fresco.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)
- Figure 13 - Sheppard Baird, W. (2007) The Ringed Islands of Thera - Santorini, Greece Available at: https://www.minoanatlantis.com/Islands_of_Thera.php (Accessed: 19th April 2020)