GYPTIS, a Greco-Massalian boat dating back to the 6th century BC

In 1993, during the archaeological excavations which were taking place in the vicinity of the Old Port of Marseille, France, the remains of a 2,600-year-old Greek ship of the Archaic period came to light. The archaeological research conducted led to a reconstruction of the original vessel by the naval archaeology team of the Centre Camille Jullian (University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS), which then proceeded to build an exact replica. The new ship, bearing the name «Gyptis», was built using planks connected by ligatures, following the techniques used during the Archaic period; thus, the detailed know-how of the ship-builders of that era was rediscovered. In order to assess its naval features and understand its mode of navigation, the boat was put to the test in the waters of the Old Port of Marseille and, since then, has been sailing quite regularly across the Bay of Marseille, retracing its itinerary of 2,600 years ago.