Navis lusoria

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A reconstructed navis lusoria at the Museum of Ancient Seafaring, Mainz

A lusoria (short form of navis lusoria from

Mainz, Germany in 1981–82.[3][4][dead link
]

The Roman ships of Mainz

In November 1981, during excavation in the course of a construction of a Hilton Hotel at Mainz, wooden remains were found and identified as parts of an old ship. Before construction resumed three months later, the site yielded remnants of five ships that were dated to the 4th century using

Romano-Germanic Central Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum) for further preservation and study.[3]

Scientifically the wrecks were termed "Mainz 1" through "Mainz 5" and generally referred to as the "Mainzer Römerschiffe" (the Mainz Roman ships). They were identified as military vessels that belonged to the Roman flotilla in Germania, the Classis Germanica. The vessels could be classified into two types, namely small troop transports (Mainz 1, 2, 4, 5) termed navis lusoria and a patrol vessel (Mainz 3).[4] The lusoria is narrower than the actuaria, an earlier and wider type of Roman cargo vessel.

Reconstruction

A full-sized reconstructed vessel is on display at the Museum of Ancient Seafaring, Mainz, and serves as a representative of the lusoria. For the reconstruction of this vessel specifically Mainz 1 and 5 served as templates. The replica measures 21.0 by 2.8 m (68 ft 11 in by 9 ft 2 in) while the gunwale measures 0.96 m (3 ft 2 in).[5] Again oak is used. The planks are 2 cm (0.8 in) thick, generally 25 cm (10 in) long and are carvel-built. The keel is only 5 cm (2 in) thick and constructed of planks; it contains a central channel to collect water. There is no keelson. The frames are placed 33.5 cm (13.2 in) apart corresponding to the measuring unit of a pes Drusianus.[4] The frames hold the ship together. The mastframe contains a hole to place the mast. While the ship could be sailed, the main method of propulsion was rowing by one open row of oarsmen on each side. The gunwale displays an outside fender and is topped by a covering board. The covering board contains the support for the oars. The protective effect of the gunwales is further extended by the shields of the soldiers which were hung on the outside. Boats were steered by a double rudder aft. Sails have not survived the centuries, so their reconstruction relies on ancient depictions. A lusoria was crewed by the steersman, two men to handle the sail, and about 30 soldiers who manned the oars.[4][dead link]

It has been calculated that the narrow and relatively long lusoria could attain a travel speed of 11 to 13 km/h (6 to 7 kn) and a maximum speed of 18 km/h (10 kn).[2]

The significance of the findings led to the establishment of a specific research center to study Roman ship transport at the Romano-Germanic Central Museum and of the Museum of Ancient Seafaring as its parent division. The latter museum has been in operation since 1994 and displays replicas of the lusoria and the patrol vessel as well as original artefacts.[6] It specializes in Roman shipbuilding and ship transport, in the Germanic provinces and in the whole empire.

Historical background

After the establishment of the military

and sacked Mogontiacum in or about 407. As Roman control ended, the local Roman fleet decayed and, over time, became covered with debris, mud and earth.

Other reconstructions

The Regina is a reconstruction of a lusoria by students of the Department for Ancient History of the University of Regensburg.[7] Launched in 2004, the boat was used to test its abilities in numerous trips along the Naab and Danube. In 2006, the Regina travelled from Regensburg to Budapest covering distances of up to 100 km (54 nmi) per day confirming that the vessel was speedy and demonstrating the great mobility the military could achieve by its use.

Literature

References

  1. ^ a b Ammianus Marcellinus. Roman Antiquities, Book XVIII, chapter 2, 12.
  2. ^ a b University of Regensberg. "Hintergrund (Background)" (in German). Retrieved August 3, 2010.[dead link]
  3. ^ on 2013-01-05. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Navis I Project". Retrieved August 13, 2010.[dead link]
  5. ^ University of Regensburg. "Das Lusoria Projekt" (in German). Retrieved August 2, 2010.[dead link]
  6. ^ Pferdehirt, Barbara. "The Museum of Ancient Shipping". Retrieved August 2, 2010.[dead link]
  7. ^ Dietz, R. F. (2004). "Alte Geschichte auf neuen Wegen" [Old history in new ways]. Regensburger Universitätszeitung [Regensburg University Newspaper] (in German). University of Regensburg. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2006-05-22. Retrieved August 13, 2010.

External links