Model Boat

Model Boat
From: Meir, Egypt
 Date: 12th Dynasty, about 1900 BC

The ancient Egyptians believed that Re, the sun-god, travelled across the sky every day in a boat. They often placed model boats in tombs so that the dead person could accompany Re, as well as travel along the rivers of the Underworld.

Boats with just oars would journey north, following the current of the River Nile. Boats like this one which also had sails caught the wind from the Mediterranean, and were used to travel south. Can you see the owner crouching down at the front of the boat, and the pilot standing, telling the crew how to put the sail in position?
British Museum

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