More fodder for Min's boat theory?

[circumspice]

Hmmm...

What do you think Min?


http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/su ... p-of-naxos

[Minimalist]

But even still, this ‘mega-island’ was an island and a body of water had to be crossed to reach it from mainland Europe.”

Unless someone could demonstrate that the sea level was less than 5 feet than you need something that floats to cross it.

Again, walking on land is treacherous. The terrain can vary wildly. There are animals or potential ambushes by other hunters. You're limited to what you can carry by the need to keep one hand on your weapon at all times. So much easier to build a boat or raft and cruise offshore, sailing during the day and camping on land during the night. If the weather sucks, you stay put.

[circumspice]

A single buoyant log or a large tangle of driftwood, carried by the tide? Something like that could be seaworthy for a short distance... We'll never really know. But speculation is fun. I doubt that H. heidelbergensis was an accomplished carpenter or shipwright.

[Minimalist]

Boy Scouts can build a raft. It doesn't require a degree in nautical engineering.

Even if you were walking on land there are going to be rivers to cross.

[kbs2244]

How many "primitive" cultures do not have some form of canoe?

[Minimalist]

Exactly. I imagine that if you had a desert-dwelling culture with no rivers or lakes the need for a boat might never occur to them. Failing that, they are going to figure out what floats and what doesn't.

[kbs2244]

Don’t even the Australian Aborigines draw boats in their art?
(Maybe post contact though?)