A new study published by The Institute of Nautical Archaeology has identified a forgotten Late Bronze Age trade route dubbed the 'Linen and Lead' Seaway. By performing isotopic analysis on lead ingots found in shipwrecks off the coast of Mallorca and comparing them with textile residues found in Egyptian New Kingdom tombs, researchers have proven a direct exchange network between the Western Mediterranean and the Nile Delta. The findings suggest that Balearic lead was a critical component in Egyptian cosmetics and glazing, while high-quality Egyptian linen was traded as a luxury commodity in the west.
This research challenges the long-held belief that trade in the Western Mediterranean was mostly localized or isolated from the major empires of the East until the Phoenician expansion. The maritime mapping utilized autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to locate previously unknown deep-water wreck sites that acted as 'way-stations' along the route. This discovery provides a more complex picture of interconnected ancient economies and the sophisticated navigational skills of pre-classical sailors.