XIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – Vᵉ siècle
Atlantic coast of North-West Africa and West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The failure of Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman sailors to establish sustained maritime contact south of the Canary Islands and Mogador during classical antiquity. Although prevailing winds could in principle carry ships southward from Morocco toward Senegal, the same northerly winds made the return voyage difficult or impossible for square-sailed vessels and galleys, limiting durable exploration and exchange along the Atlantic coast.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The Atlantic route around the Sahara appeared, in theory, to offer an alternative to crossing the desert. Phoenician settlements existed near the Straits of Gibraltar from about 1100 BC, while Carthaginian establishments extended southward to Lixus, Sala, and Mogador. Classical writers also reported knowledge of the Canary Islands and Cape Juby, raising the question of why maritime contact did not continue toward the Senegal River.
The decisive obstacle was not the southward voyage but the return to the north. Trade winds generally blew from the north along these coasts, allowing ships to move southward but creating a persistent headwind for the return journey. Even vessels equipped with oars could not reliably advance against winds of moderate force, making a sustained two-way connection between Morocco and West Africa impractical.
Classical ships were not designed to tack effectively. Broad merchant vessels used square sails and a steering oar, while galleys depended on large crews of rowers and used sails only when winds were favourable. The absence of substantial, authenticated classical remains south of Mogador—including on several Atlantic islands and coastal sites—supports the conclusion that Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman maritime activity did not produce regular contact with West Africa.
XIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – Vᵉ siècle
Atlantic coast of North-West Africa and West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The failure of Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman sailors to establish sustained maritime contact south of the Canary Islands and Mogador during classical antiquity. Although prevailing winds could in principle carry ships southward from Morocco toward Senegal, the same northerly winds made the return voyage difficult or impossible for square-sailed vessels and galleys, limiting durable exploration and exchange along the Atlantic coast.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The Atlantic route around the Sahara appeared, in theory, to offer an alternative to crossing the desert. Phoenician settlements existed near the Straits of Gibraltar from about 1100 BC, while Carthaginian establishments extended southward to Lixus, Sala, and Mogador. Classical writers also reported knowledge of the Canary Islands and Cape Juby, raising the question of why maritime contact did not continue toward the Senegal River.
The decisive obstacle was not the southward voyage but the return to the north. Trade winds generally blew from the north along these coasts, allowing ships to move southward but creating a persistent headwind for the return journey. Even vessels equipped with oars could not reliably advance against winds of moderate force, making a sustained two-way connection between Morocco and West Africa impractical.
Classical ships were not designed to tack effectively. Broad merchant vessels used square sails and a steering oar, while galleys depended on large crews of rowers and used sails only when winds were favourable. The absence of substantial, authenticated classical remains south of Mogador—including on several Atlantic islands and coastal sites—supports the conclusion that Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman maritime activity did not produce regular contact with West Africa.