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An illustrated lecture “Excavating Shipwrecks In Constantinople’s Theodosian Harbor”
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The Byzantine Studies Program at Dumbarton Oaks announces a public lecture to be presented by Cemal Pulak of Frederick R. Mayer Faculty Professor of Nautical Archaeology, Texas A & M University. The illustrated lecture “Excavating Shipwrecks In Constantinople’s Theodosian Harbor” will take place on Thursday, January 17th , 2008 at 5:30 PM in the Music Room of Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd Street NW. The lecture is open to the public without charge. To RSVP and for additional information, please email Byzantine@doaks.org or phone (202)339-6940.
Abstract
At the site of a new rail link between Europe and Asia, pre-construction excavations by the Istanbul Archaeological Museums have revealed one of the greatest nautical archaeological discovery sites of all time. At Yenikapi, along the Old City's Marmara shore, one of the world's largest archaeological digs is exposing the remnants of the ancient Theodosian Harbor of Constantinople. A major trade center from the fourth century until river silting rendered it useless at the end of the 10th century, the harbor, its stone walls, and amazingly well-preserved remnants of the port's activities had lain forgotten for centuries. Chief among Yenikapi's discoveries are some 29 shipwrecks ranging in date from the 7th century to the late 10th or early 11th century. The diverse collection of ships includes the first Byzantine war galleys, merchant vessels, some still with cargoes, and smaller fishing craft, all amazingly well preserved thanks to their burial in a thick layer of wet mud. The excavations are allowing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a diverse collection of purpose-built hulls from this period. Their careful documentation and analysis should greatly enhance our knowledge of Byzantine shipbuilding, as well as the role of maritime trade in the history of Constantinople and the later Roman Empire.
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Polly Evans
Byzantine Studies Program
Dumbarton Oaks
1703 R Street NW
202-339-6940
202-298-8409
Email: evansp@doaks.org
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