Abstract 

Many centuries ago and even today the ship is one of the most important socio-economic links connecting the cultures around the Baltic Sea. Shipwrecks with their complexity and unity, represent better than any other archaeological finds, the interaction between men and sea. 

Nevertheless ship archaeological research programmes of the past were focused more on technical studies in shipbuilding than on socio-cultural interpretations of shipfinds.

Therefore the aim of this conference is to concentrate on socio-cultural developments of the exchange between maritime societies as reflected by investigations of shipwrecks and harbour constructions. Archaeological interpretations should also be discussed interdisciplinary in the light of research results of maritime historians and ethnologists at the conference. 

Which role did boats and ships play in the establishment of early cultures in the Baltic Sea Area? Can we distinguish "Maritime" from "Rural" societies? What organisational structures were necessary to operate boats and ships - the microcosmos of life on board? 

How did the construction of landing places and harbours influence the handling of boats and ships? To encourage interdisciplinary discussions we beg participants to speak not longer than 20 minutes and to provide posters, films, slides etc. to illustrate their thesis.

Program

Organiser: 

Co-organisers: 

• Institute of History at Rostock University 
• German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven 
• Södertörns högskola in Stockholm