site.btaInternational Expedition to Prove Ancient Trade Connection Between Black Sea, Egypt

July 2 (BTA) - An international
expedition will leave from the coastal city of Varna in July on
a voyage to prove Herodotus' claim that there was a trade
connection between the people of Ancient Egypt and the Black
Sea, and more specifically that the Egyptian pyramids contain
metal from the Black Sea region, said Dr. Dominique Goerlitz,
who is leading the venture.

The expedition will travel by a replica of a vessel from the
predinastic period in Egypt. The 14-metre reed and rope boat is
currently being built near Varna by Bolivian indians from the
lake Titicaca region, who have kept this tradition alive in
their tribe, with materials and methods known to ancient
Egyptians.

The expedition aims to prove that such primitive vessels could
have made the voyage, thus also confirming the possibility of
Herodotus' claim that the Egyptians have imported iron from the
Black Sea region, most probably from the Caucasus. An important
point in the venture is to demonstrate that the primitive water
vessel can float in both directions, which would make an ancient
 merchant trip possible.

Dr. Dominique Goerlitz has worked as an experimental
archaeologist for over 30 years, with his specialty being
ancient shipping. He was pleasantly surprised when he found
like-minded people in Bulgaria who wanted to participate and
support the project.

The expedition's sailing team will include 12 people from 8
countries, who will sail in shifts, including Bulgarian Teodor
Rokov, archaeologist from the Varna History Museum. The journey
will take about three months, during which the team will cover
3,000 km through Istanbul, the Dardanelles, the Aegean and the
Mediterranean sea to reach Alexandria. The crew will navigate
using the stars, but modern technology will also be provided for
 their safety.

"The idea behind this venture resonates with Bulgarians, as
there has been people on its lands since 4,200 BC," said Denko
Kalchev from the INHOM glass foundation, which has donated the
space and equipment for building the boat. He noted that when
the expedition sets off, a museum exhibition will open both in
Bulgaria and in Germany. RY/DT