07-03-2008, 07:47 PM
Quote:1. The lateen, both the triangular and the quadrilateral type, were introduced by Greek and Roman sailors between the 2nd century BC and 4th century AD,WOW!! If that is correct, we must rethink Late Ancient economic history. The number of wrecks is usually taken as an indication of the trade volume, under the condition that (a) trade routes did not change (e.g., from a well-researched area to an unresearched area) and (b) naval technique did not change. If, indeed, in the second-fourth centuries the lateen sail was introduced, we may have an alternative explanation for the decline of the number of wrecks in that period: it was the introduction of the lateen sail, and not a decline of the trade volume.
