Ajay Kumar at 17:42, 28 August 2023

2023-08-28T17:42:23Z

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[[File:Braun Messina UBHD.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The port of [[Messina]] in [[Sicily]] (from book published circa 1572).]]
'''Historical ports''' may be found where ancient [[Civilization|civilizations]] have developed maritime trade.

One of the world's oldest known artificial harbors is at [[Wadi al-Jarf]] on the [[Red Sea]].<ref name=Discovery>{{cite news|title=Most Ancient Port, Hieroglyphic Papyri Found|author=Rossella Lorenzi|work=Discovery News|date=12 April 2013|url=http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-egypt/worlds-oldest-port-and-egyptian-papyrus-uncovered-130412.htm|accessdate=21 April 2013}}</ref> Along with the finding of harbor structures, ancient anchors have also been found.

==Ancient China==

[[Port of Guangzhou|Guangzhou]]<ref> Guangzhou [http://www.shippingonline.cn/port/result.asp?id=efi]</ref> was an important port during the ancient times as far back as the [[Qin Dynasty]].

==Ancient Egypt==

[[Canopus, Egypt|Canopus]] was the principal port in Egypt for Greek trade before the foundation of [[Alexandria]].

==Ancient Greece==

[[Athens]]' port of [[Piraeus]] was the base for the Athenian fleet and this played a crucial role in the [[Battle of Salamis]]<ref>The Battle of Salamis [http://www.molossia.org/milacademy/salamis.html]</ref> against the [[Achaemenid Empire]] in 480 BC.

==Ancient India==
Port of [[Chittagong]] (located in Bangladesh) has been a recorded seaport since the 4th century BCE. In the 2nd century, the harbor appeared on [[Ptolemy's map]], drawn by the [[Claudius Ptolemy]]. The map mentions the harbor as one of the finest in the Eastern world. The ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' documents trade between Chittagong and private merchants from [[Roman Egypt]].<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=voerPYsAB5wC&q=chittagong+ptolemy&pg=PA186 |title=Asia and Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places - Google Books |date= 12 November 2012|isbn=978-1-136-63979-1 |accessdate=2017-07-24|last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |last2=Watson |first2=Noelle |last3=Schellinger |first3=Paul }}</ref>

[[Lothal]] is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilisation, located in the Bhāl region of the modern state of [[Gujarat]]. Lothal was one of the southern most cities of the [[Indus Valley civilisation|Indus Valley Civilization]]. The port was constructed around 2200 BCE<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoW9GuFJ9GIC|title=A History of India|isbn=978-0-415-32920-0|pages=25–26|last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |last2=Rothermund |first2=Dietmar |year=2004 }}</ref> and is believed to be world's earliest known [[Dock (maritime)|dock]].

==Ancient Rome==

[[Ostia Antica]] was the port of ancient Rome with [[Portus]] established by [[Claudius]] and enlarged by [[Trajan]] to supplement the nearby port of Ostia.

[[Messina]], sited on the [[Strait of Messina]], also has a history as an ancient port.

==East Africa==
In [[East Africa]], Post-classical [[Swahili culture|Swahili kingdoms]] are known to have had trade port islands and [[trade routes]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/sfe/ht06sfe.htm |title=Eastern and Southern Africa 500–1000 AD |publisher=Metmuseum.org |date= |accessdate=21 April 2009}}</ref> with the Islamic world and Asia. They were described by Greek historians as "metropolises".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1924318.stm |title=Tanzanian dig unearths ancient secret by Tira Shubart |publisher=BBC News |date=17 April 2002 |accessdate=21 April 2009}}</ref> Famous East African trade ports such as [[Mombasa]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Mogadishu]] and [[Kilwa Kisiwani|Kilwa]]<ref>{{cite book| last = Newitt| first = M.D.D.| title = A History of Mozambique| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vLzp_zs1t6cC&pg=PA245| year = 1995| publisher = Indiana University Press| isbn = 978-0-253-34006-1 }}</ref> were known to Chinese sailors such as [[Zheng He]] and medieval Islamic historians such as the Berber Islamic voyager [[ibn Battuta|Abu Abdullah ibn Battuta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1354-ibnbattuta.html |title=Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325–1354 |publisher=Fordham.edu |date=21 February 2001 |accessdate=21 April 2009}}</ref>

== Japan ==

During the [[Edo period]], the island of [[Dejima]] was the only port open for trade with Europe and only received the Portuguese and Dutch traders, due to their historical relations, whereas [[Osaka]] was the largest domestic port and the main trade hub for rice.

==See also==
*[[Ports]]
*[[Ancient History]]
*[https://www.AncientPortsAntiques.com Ancient Ports]

==References==
{{refimprove|date=March 2018}}
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==

* Hein, Carola; Schubert, Dirk. "Resilience, Disaster, and Rebuilding in Modern Port Cities." ''Journal of Urban History'' (Mar 2021) 47#2 pp 235-249.

[[Category:Ancient history]]
[[Category:Maritime history]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours|Historical]]

Historical ports - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:42, 28 August 2023