Water Transport
Origins and Early Evolution

First published in 1946, this book presents a comprehensive account of the origins and early evolution of water transport.

James Hornell (Author)

9781107475366, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 February 2015

376 pages
24.4 x 17 x 2 cm, 0.6 kg

First published in 1946, this book presents a comprehensive account regarding the origins and early evolution of water transport written by the renowned British ethnographer and zoologist James Hornell (1865–1949). The focus of the text is on different types of transport, and it is divided into three main sections: the first section is on 'Floats, Rafts and Kindred Craft', the second is on 'Skin Boats: Coracles, Curraghs, Kayaks and their Kin' and the third is on 'Bark Canoes, Dugouts and Plank-Built Craft'. Numerous illustrative figures and a detailed bibliography are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in archaeology, anthropology and the history of water transport.

List of text-figures
Group A. Floats, Rafts and Kindred Craft: 1. Swimming floats and riding floats
2. Buoyed rafts
3. Reed rafts and reed canoes
4. Log rafts and catamarans
5. The origin of the junk and sampan
Group B. Skin Boats: Coracles, Curraghs, Kayaks and their Kin: 6. The coracle in Aisa
7. British coracles and Irish curraghs
8. The skin boats of the American Indians
9. The skin boats of the Eskimos and other Arctic peoples
10. The origins of skin boats
Group C. Bark Canoes, Dugouts and Plank-Built Craft: 11. The genetic relation of the bark canoe to dugouts and plank-built boats
12. From dugout to carvel-built ship
13. The evolution of the clinker-built fishing lugger
14. Constructional parallels in Scandinavian and oceanic boat construction
15. The sailing ships of ancient Egypt
16. The development of Arab ship design
17. The boats of the Ganges
18. Outrigger devices: distribution and origin
19. The prow of the ship: sanctuary of its tutelary deity
Literature cited
Abbreviations
Index
List of plates.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM]