middle kingdom egypt extrapolating dates ancient sites constructed along course archaeologists italy united states egypt excavating dried lagoon known mersa gawasis unearthed traces ancient harbor launched early voyages like hatshepsut 's punt expedition onto open ocean site 's evocative evidence ancient egyptians' seafaring prowess include large ship timbers hundreds feet ropes made papyrus coiled huge bundles team franco egyptian archaeologists discovered believed world 's oldest port dating
Humanities History Ancient history Ancient Egypt