Notes on the Identification of the Roman Masts Found in the Port of Olbia, Sardinia

Abstract

This paper presents both archaeological evidence and technical features that allows the identification of two of the wooden objects discovered in 2001 at the site of a 1st‐century‐AD shipyard in Olbia, Sardinia, as masts. The structure and dimensions of the objects are presented and compared with similar artefacts which have been interpreted as rudder‐stocks in order to establish their specific and distinct features. Possible retaining and lowering systems for the masts, and evidence of wooden mast‐ladders are discussed through examination of archaeological parallels and Roman iconography.

Key words:

• masts
• rudder‐stocks
• heel
• mast‐ladder
• scarf
• mortise‐and‐tenon

Notes

1. At ISBSA 2012 in Amsterdam the paper written by Riccardi, D'Oriano and Gavini was read by F. Tiboni. The reader agreed with the interpretation given by the authors and decided to write the present paper with them in order to specify the archaeological basis of the interpretation.