Phoenicia, The Phoenician Ship Expedition

Major preparations are underway in the Phoenicia Maritima (Lebanese) cities to welcome the ship. A page on the subject wil be up soon detailing the related celebrations.	For more information on the the progress of Phoenicia, please see related links.
The Other Phoenician Voyage, The Ship “Europa” "In the spring of 2009, a replica of a Phoenician ship, “Europa” named after the Phoenician princess that was kidnapped by Zeus with 17 people mostly volunteers on board, will set sail to the Following countries: "Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Malta, Italy, Spain, France and the Vatican. "Carrying with them the Phoenician alpha-bet engraved on marbles along with soap, oil and perfume. To be given to the tourism and cultural ministers of the respectful aforementioned countries. Also a possible meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, at the Vatican where he will be given the engraved alpha-bet. "In hope of gathering the world needed attention to Lebanon and the suffering of its people and to create to bring awareness to the European continent about the true Lebanese moral fiber, culture and heritage. "The crew will be wearing the traditional Phoenician clothing while on land to instigate curiosity among the visited people so they can begin to create a dialogue based on cultural debates and share of knowledge.	"The trip will take about 6-8 months mostly at sea. It will be using sails and oars; it will be mostly escorted by volunteers from private Yachting clubs along the Mediterranean. "Upon its return the ship will be donated to the Lebanese National Museum with the names of all the participants and the project creator along with the donors engraved on it worth mentioning that Europa Project will be covered by both the International and the national media network. Especially, by the European media network. "While on land the crew will be personalizing famous Phoenician’s characters dressed up in accordance to each character, introduce themselves as such with indepth knowledge of their particular character, e.g Kadmus will be Kadmus himself brought alive. A documentary tape will be filmed to be given to the Lebanese Ministry of education to be shown in all Lebanese school for generations to come." Source: Peace Mission Site

Over two and a half thousand years ago one of the greatest journeys in mankind's history began on the Egyptian shores of the Red Sea.  Greek Historian Herodotus tells us how, in 600 BC, Phoenician mariners achieved the first circumnavigation of Africa, a voyage into unknown waters previously considered too dangerous to attempt.

In 2008-2009 a reconstruction of a Phoenician / Mediterranean trading vessel will embark on a journey with a crew of 20 to retrace the Phoenicians' route around Africa.  Re-creating this historical voyage is the major objective of the Phoenician Ship Expedition. The expedition aims to highlight the achievements of ancient Phoenician mariners and pay tribute to one of their greatest exploratory voyages.

The replica Phoenician/Mediterranean ship design

The ship’s design specification has been created using evidence from relevant shipwrecks and archaeological finds of artifacts such as vases and coins. Eminent scholars and shipwrights from around the globe have been consulted to ensure that the design of “Phoenicia” is as authentic as possible. The Phoenician ship is currently being built in Arwad - one of the Phoenicians ancient trading ports, by traditional wooden shipwright Khalid Hammoud. Khalid and his team are using traditional Phoenician construction methods and materials to build “Phoenicia”. The ship building is well underway for sea trials to begin in June 2008.

 

The expedition route

“Phoenicia” will launch into the Mediterranean sea in August 2008. The expedition will sail through the Suez Canal, around the horn of Africa and down the east coast. Negotiating the dangers of the Cape of Good Hope will be a critical point in the expedition. The voyage will continue up the west coast of Africa, through the Straights of Gibraltar and across the Mediterranean to complete the circumnavigation of Africa. This will be followed by another voyage to bring the ship to the United Kingdom in summer 2009 (where the Phoenician’s are believed to have traded tin with Cornwall). In total the expedition will be 17,000 miles and 10 months at sea.

The expedition team

Phoenicia is being led by Philip Beale whose most recent venture was to lead the 2003-04 Borobudur Ship Expedition.

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