213 pp, color figures, hb, in Turkish-English bilingual.
Salvage excavations conducted at Yenikapı within the frame of Marmaray and Metro projects brought to light the Theodosian Harbour and rare archaeological remains. The new finds that extended Istanbul’s history to 8000 BP include an assembly of 37 shipwrecks dated to the fifth through eleventh centuries AD. This book deals with the genus-species identifications of 27 shipwrecks unearthed by Istanbul Archaeological Museums Directorate and processed by the Division of Conservation of Marine Archaeological Objects, Faculty of Letters, Istanbul University. More than 3000 samples were analysed by Prof. Dr. Ünal Akkemik of Istanbul University’s Faculty of Forestry. All the shipwrecks uncovered belong to the Byzantine period; however, those of the fifth-seventh centuries were built with coniferous trees like cypress and pine whereas those of the ninth-eleventh centuries were built with broad-leaved trees like oak and chestnut. Ships of the seventh-ninth centuries, on the other hand, reflect a mixture of both tree groups. In overall, the wood identifications indicate a change from the coniferous trees to broad-leaved trees in the time span of fifth to eleventh centuries. Study of the 27 wrecks has not only cast light onto the shipbuilding techniques of the Byzantine period but also produced an invaluable database revealing the change in woods used.
Presentation
Preface
I. Introduction
II. Genus/Species Identification Methods of the Woods
1. Sample taking
2. Ship members and their codes
3. Taking thin sections
4. Identification of the genus/species
III. Woods Used in the Ships
1. Yenikapi 3 (YK3)
2. Yenikapi 6 (YK6)
3. Yenikapi 7 (YK7)
4. Yenikapi 8 (YK8)
5. Yenikapi 9 (YK9)
6. Yenikapi 10 (YK10)
7. Yenikapi 12 (YK12)
8. Yenikapi 13 (YK13)
9. Yenikapi 15 (YK15)
10. Yenikapi 16 (YK16)
11. Yenikapi 17 (YK17)
12. Yenikapi 18 (YK18)
13. Yenikapi 19 (YK19)
14. Yenikapi 20 (YK20)
15. Yenikapi 21 (YK21)
16. Yenikapi 22 (YK22)
17. Yenikapi 25 (YK25)
18. Yenikapi 26 (YK26)
19. Yenikapi 27 (YK27)
20. Yenikapi 28 (YK28)
21. Yenikapi 29 (YK29)
22. Yenikapi 30 (YK30)
23. Yenikapi 31 (YK31)
24. Yenikapi 32 (YK32)
25. Yenikapi 34 (YK34)
26. Yenikapi 35 (YK35)
27. Yenikapi 36 (YK36)
IV. The Features of the Wood Genera Used in the Ships
1. Conifers (Gymnosperms)
1.1. Abies L. (Fir)
1.2. Cedrus Trew. (Cedar)
1.3. Cupressus sempervirens L. (Mediterranean Cypress)
1.4. Pinus L. (Pine)
2. Broad-leaved trees (Angiosperms)
2.1. Carpinus betulus L. (Hornbeam)
2.2. Castanea sativa Mill. (Chestnut)
2.3. Fagus L. (Beech)
2.4. Fraxinus L. (Ash)
2.5. Juglans regia L. (Walnut)
2.6. Phillyrea latifolia (Phillyrea)
2.7. Platanus orientalis L. (Oriental plane)
2.8. Populus L. (Poplar)
2.9. Quercus L. (Oak)
2.10. Spartium junceum L. (Spanish, or weaver’s broom)
2.11. Ulmus L. (Elm)
V. Periodical Changes in Wood Use
1. Periodical Evaluation of Ship Members
1.1. Planking
1.2. Ceiling
1.3. Keel
1.4. Frame System
1.5. Treenail
2. Comparison of Woods Identified with Respect to Durability
VI. Potential Origins of the Ships
VII. Repair Marks in the Ships and their Evaluation
Bibliography
Index
Latin Index
