Ships, Ports, and Shipbuilding

Boats and ships were very important means of transport for the ancient Egyptians. Model boats found in tombs provide knowledge about the different types of boats in ancient Egypt.

Wooden boat models of different types and functions were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun. These models would act symbolically to transport the king on his journey through the underworld.

The Ptolemaic navy protected Egypt and guaranteed its political and economic independence. The ships, whether in the naval, merchant, or river fleet, were built in a variety of styles.

The astrolabe was an astronimical instrument used for navigation that the Muslims excelled at making. They created beautifully designed astrolabes and calibrated them with extreme accuracy.

In the Islamic period, the River Nile played an important role in international trade and the shipbuilding industry.

Alexandria was a major commercial market with a strong shipbuilding industry.

Al-Fustat, an important Islamic port and shipbuilding arsenal, became the center of foreign marine trade because of its location on the Nile.

Because of their location on the Nile, many cities such as Bulaq, Rosetta, and Damietta became important commercial centers and shipbuilding arsenals during the Islamic period.