The Uluburun ship (Bachhuber 2006)

What is it

• The ship sank of the Lycian coast in late 14thC

• Wreck has yielded large amounts of tin/copper/ivory ingots, ivory carvings, golden jewellery, metal objects and more

Origin

• Presence of 9th Cypriot pithoi filled with oil and Cypriot pottery and 10 tonnes of copper it is suggested Cyprus is the last port of call for the ship

• 150 Canaanite Jars of terebinth resin, olives and glass beads are believed to have been acquired at a Syro-Palestinian port

Destination

• The amount of LH 11A2-B ceramics in the Aegean indicate a strong Cypriot-Aegean relation

• The wreck is located on a clear path to Rhodes and a large amount of Cypriot pottery has been found at the cemetery at Lalysos

Personnel of the ship

• Large amount if utilitarian and ornamental cargo on board (such as Aegean spear points)

• Pulak argues this is the belongings of a pair of Myceanean’s 

• While this is still speculative, many of these objects had not been seen beyond the Aegean so we can assume they belonged to individuals with affinity towards the Aegean

• Pulak 1998

Original interpretation

• Objects on board were marginally believed to belong to an Egyptian delegation and was a diplomatic gesture (Gift exchange)

• Hankey (1973) and Cline (1987)

Issues with Gift exchange view

• It is incredibly difficult to distinguish between a gift and commodity in the archaeological record - e.g many precious metals were qualified by weight, if they are actually liquid assets how can we be sure they are not a commodity?

• Bachuber 2006

New Interpretation

• The Ship was on its way to the Aegean, parts of the Cargo was circulating in elite networks and others for non-palatial consumers

• The precious cargo would have cultivated prestige and created long term economic and political effects

• The Ship was making a voyage of a more commercial nature and reflects how goods travelled around

• While gift exchange is possible it is by no means evident

• Bachhuber 2006