What is the oldest port in the world?

snuiteke

Byblos Port is an ancient port in Byblos, Lebanon and is the oldest port in the world. Around 3000 BC, Byblos Port was the most important timber shipping center in the eastern Mediterranean. It was used by the Phoenicians to ship Cedars of Lebanon and other wood to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt to be used in tomb construction and shipbuilding. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byblos_Port http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Lebanon/blog-423692.html Jan 29 10, 6:56 PM

star_gazer

Marine trade had also flourished during the rule of Kshatrapa and Gupta kings. The capital of Maitrak kings, Vallabhi, was also a very prosperous port town during those days. The waters of the Gulf of Khambhat were not far removed from its gates and the city thus had sea communications. The former seaworthiness of the place is testified by the buoy that guards the entrance to the town even today and also by the copper plates found from different places during excavation. At present, the town is approximately 35 km away from the present seacoast and is completely landlocked. It is believed that the first vessels having sail were built at Kanakpur, Madhuvati and Bhadravati in Gujarat. As per saying, it is known that the speediest sail vessels were built in Samvat eighth century at Kanakpur. All these places are landlocked today. http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/archaeology/site/archs0004a.htm Jan 30 10, 2:03 AM

author

Some also say Pattanam. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-199036690.html Jan 30 10, 9:40 AM

author

Archaeologists working on India's south-west coast believe they may have solved the mystery of the location of a major port which was key to trade between India and the Roman Empire - Muziris, in the modern-day state of Kerala. For many years, people have been in search of the almost mythical port, known as Vanchi to locals. Much-recorded in Roman times, Muziris was a major centre for trade between Rome and southern India - but appeared to have simply disappeared. Now, however, an investigation by two archaeologists - KP Shajan and V Selvakumar - has placed the ancient port as having existed where the small town of Pattanam now stands, on India's south-west Malabar coast. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4970452.stm Jan 30 10, 9:42 AM