RELIEFS IN THE TOMBS OF
ABIBI AND IPI AT SAQQARA

Relief in the tomb of Abibi, at Saqqara, of c. 2500 BC, showing men lowering a typical bipod mast of the Old Kingdom.

Relief in the tomb of Ipi, at Saqqara, of c. 2500 BC, A helmsman holds both the braces to the upper yard and the tiller; a man below controls the lower braces. Note the single forestay and numerous backstays, and the crutch for lowering the mast.

From A History of Seafaring - edited by George F. Bass

Crossing the Seas Index