Crossing the Atlantic on a 600 B.C. Phoenician Ship Replica | Sheimaa Oubari

Project Overview - The project aimed to demonstrate that Phoenicians could have reached America 2,000 years before Columbus by sailing a 600 BC Phoenician ship replica across the Atlantic [6] - The ship, named Phoenicia, was a 20-meter-long and 6-meter-wide replica built using ancient techniques in Arwad, Syria [7][8] Voyage Details - The journey commenced in September 2019 from Carthage, Tunisia, passing through Gibraltar (pillars of Malcart), Kadis (Spain), Morocco, and the Canary Islands [9] - It took 39 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic, then up to Miami, Florida, utilizing winds and sea currents [10] Crew and Conditions - The crew consisted of 12 people (10 men and 2 women) organized into three teams of four, with duties including helming, cooking, cleaning, lookout, and pumping water [12][13] - The crew faced challenging conditions, including seasickness, limited supplies, and storms, sleeping in an open space below deck [8][14][15] Cultural and Historical Significance - The Phoenicians were skilled sailors and traders who connected different cultures and continents without exploitation [3][4][5] - The project highlights the Phoenicians' spirit of exploration and their contributions to trade, navigation, and cultural exchange [4][5] Lessons and Reflections - The journey emphasized resilience, endurance, overcoming fears, and the importance of building connections [21] - The project suggests that the Lebanese people share a connection with their Phoenician heritage, characterized by a spirit of adventure and pioneering [20][22]