The sewn boats of Kerala
2012
Written by Patrice Pomey
Directed by Raymond Collet
Collection From Africa to India
The first sewn boats, that is craft whose planks were assembled with lashings, date far back in antiquity. In Egypt, 4500 years ago, this technique was used in the construction of Kheops’ solar boat, a ship some 43.50 metres long. How can we rediscover and understand the process of construction? How to envisage the gestures and actions of the ancient carpenters? How did they handle their tools? Today, sewn boats are still built in traditional fashion in several regions of the world. The nautical archaeologist, Patrice Pomey, is heading for India, to the state of Kerala, where this style of manufacture still survives, in order to compare it with archaeological evidence. This research will perhaps allow for a better understanding of those wrecks found in the Mediterranean and the remains recently unearthed on the Red Sea coast of Egypt.