How Good Were Ancient Egyptians in Sea Travel: Were They Able to Reach the Iberian Peninsula?

For centuries, historians and archaeologists have speculated about the seafaring abilities of the ancient Egyptians. While their reputation is often associated with monumental architecture and river navigation, the question remains: did they engage in sea travel and reach the Iberian Peninsula?

River Applications Only?

The evidence left behind by the ancient Egyptians suggests that boat design and usage were primarily focused on river applications. There is a notable lack of extensive sea-faring evidence. For the Mediterranean Sea region, while the possibility of occasional maritime ventures can be considered, it appears that such activities did not significantly impact their civilization or trade.

Trade Routes and Sea-faring

Pharaoh Sahure of the Fifth Dynasty is known for sending ships to Lebanon to import cedar, and to the Land of Punt for valuable resources such as myrrh, malachite, and electrum. Similarly, Queen Hatshepsut sent ships to Punt, which is located in modern-day Somalia, and expanded Egyptian trade into the Mediterranean. However, these accounts do not suggest frequent or significant maritime ventures.

Pre-2370 BCE Egyptians

Before 2370 BCE, when the Egyptian civilization was established under the rule of Mizraim, it is highly likely that they did not have any advanced form of sea-worthy boats for long-distance voyages. After this period, the Egyptians indeed had boats capable of navigating not just the Nile but also crossing the Mediterranean to the Iberian Peninsula. Some sources even claim that they may have traveled to North America, though this remains a matter of debate and requires further archaeological evidence.

Comparison with Other Seafarers

While the Egyptians were capable of river travel and occasional maritime ventures, they were certainly not the pioneers of sea-faring in the Mediterranean. The Minoans and Phoenicians, especially, were renowned for their advanced seafaring technologies and expansive trade networks. The Greeks also played a significant role in commercial shipping and maritime exploration.

Latin Sea-faring: The Celts, Gauls, and Trade Routes

The Celts, Gauls, and related tribes living in the Iberian Peninsula around 3000 BCE are also discussed in historical accounts. While they may have engaged in some coastal sailing and possibly established trade routes along the Mediterranean, their impact on the broader Mediterranean trade networks was likely limited.

Blackamoors and Their Impact

A fascinating aspect of the exploration and trade networks in the earlier historical periods involved the Blackamoor Muslims from North West Africa, particularly from countries like Mauritania, Morocco, and Algeria. These Blackamoors created the first world map and were the first to circumnavigate the globe. They even found white Europeans in caves and influenced them through improvements in hygiene and civilization. Additionally, they played a significant role in ruling large parts of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, for over 700 years.

Concluding Thoughts

While the ancient Egyptians did engage in limited sea travel, especially after the establishment of their civilization, their capabilities and frequency of such travel were not as extensive or impactful as some historical accounts might suggest. The Minoans, Phoenicians, and Greeks were more prominent in Mediterranean maritime history. Nonetheless, the contributions of the Blackamoors in shaping global exploration and trade cannot be overlooked. The journey of these ancient seafarers reveals the complexity and richness of early human exploration and interaction across continents.