Cypriot-Levant Maritime Links in the Etesian Season: Crosswind Opportunities

From mid-May to mid-September the eastern Mediterranean is subject to the dominant Etesian winds from the northwest. Merchant ships in the Middle and Late Bronze Age (ca. 1500–1100 BCE) had limited windward ability to sail westbound passages exiting the eastern Mediterranean during this season, challenging interregional maritime links. However, opportunities exist in the eastern Mediterranean region during the same season to maintain intraregional networks of bi-directional links that exploit crosswind sailing. An examination of bi-directional maritime links between eastern Cyprus and the southern and northern Levant during the summer was performed. The study revealed the characteristics and limitations of the direct crossings between Cyprus and the Levant and coastal sailing along the Levant coasts. Observations lead to logical conclusions of possible itinerary and routing strategies that sailors likely followed in the examined region during the summer months.