The hull of the ancient Mesopotamian ships was made of reed bundles, a highly durable and relatively lightweight material. Reed bundles are made by tying together individual reeds, which are then bound together to form a sturdy yet flexible structure. This structure provided the ships with the strength they needed to withstand the rigors of travel, while also being lightweight enough to allow the ships to move quickly through the water.
Design Characteristics
In addition to the materials used, the ancient Mesopotamian ships also featured a number of design characteristics that contributed to their strength and stability. These features included:
* Symmetrical hulls: The ships were symmetrical in both their cross-section and their sides, which made them more resistant to rolling over.
* Wide beams: The ships had a wide beam, which created a large surface area in the water that allowed the ships to float easily.
* Multiple bulkheads: The ships had a multiple watertight bulkheads within that helped make them less vulnerable to sink in. This is a remarkable and important advancement in ancient times that contributed vastly to the stability of such vessels.
As a result of these factors, the ancient Mesopotamian ships were able to navigate both calm and rough waters and carry heavy loads safely.