Europa

Year: 750 BC
Category: Ancient
Vessel Type: Merchant Ship
Scale: 1/8" = 1 foot
Overall Length: 70 feet

By 800 B.C. The Greek mainland and the many islands in the Aegean Sea were beginning to take the shape of what would become the empire of Greece. The people and merchants started reaching out for new lands to colonize and trade with in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the regions just beyond the straits of Gibraltar, known to later Greeks as "The Pillars of Hercules."

Ships like Europa were colonizing these new lands and carrying on trade that would bring wealth and power to the newly forming empire. The greatest age of Greece was hundreds of years in the future and this early groundwork of shipping, commerce, and colonization of Greek peoples was fundamental to the establishment of this great empire.

The unusual plating pattern seen on the bottom half of the hull was made of very thin lead. This was nailed on to protect the wood ship from worms and barnacles.