Phoenician Shipbuilding: Cedar Wood

The Phoenicians built their renowned ships from cedar wood (Cedrus libani), sourced from the mountains of modern-day Lebanon.

Cedar's advantages:

• Naturally resistant to marine rot and shipworms
• Straight, fine grain — ideal for planking
• Lightweight yet strong
• Aromatic oils repel pests

This material superiority enabled long-distance Mediterranean trade, colonization (Carthage, Cádiz), and naval dominance for centuries.