Stern to Stem

View looking from stern to stem at the 41 foot long fifth century ship that was discovered off the coast of Kibbutz Ma'agan Mikhael (Michael).  In the upper left quadrant note the horizontal beam supported by an upright.  This is the maststep that in turn supported the square rigging.  I don't think to many ancient "maststeps" have been found.

Also, please note the well–preserved planking of the ship, the ribbing and the central keel.

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The vessel is approximately 41 feet long and 13 feet wide.  It had a load capacity of about 15 tons.  The ship sailed under a square rig and its maststep (the wooden horizontal beam that holds the mast in place) was found intact!  The ship was probably manned by a crew of 4-6 mariners.