The Dor 2001/1 Byzantine Shipwreck, Israel: final report

Abstract

Dor 2001/1 was a Byzantine coaster, about 16.9-m long, with an estimated displacement of 50 tonnes, dated to the first third of the 6th century CE, and loaded with building stones. It was excavated over five seasons, recorded under water, and a section of the shipwreck was retrieved and studied on land. The hull construction was based on frames without any type of planking edge‐fasteners. It is thus among the earliest frame‐based shipwrecks found so far in the Mediterranean. The origin of its construction tradition, with flat frames amidships, hard chine and straight sides, might have been related to a riverine tradition.

Key words:

• Dor 2001/1
• Dor/Tantura lagoon
• Byzantine period
• transition in construction
• frame‐based
• building stones

Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by the Israel Science Foundation, the Hecht Trust, a Sir Maurice Hatter Fellowship for Maritime Studies, and the Israel Antiquities Authority. Thanks are due to John Tresman for the English editing, and to the anonymous reviewer for his constructive comments.

Additional information

Funding

Israel Science Foundation

Hecht Trust

a Sir Maurice Hatter Fellowship for Maritime Studies

Israel Antiquities Authority