Paths Across the Sea: Meteo-Marine Conditions for Coastal Navigation Around the Balearic Islands During the Middle and Late Bronze Ages

Abstract

Throughout history the Balearic Islands have had different degrees of social connectivity between the islands themselves and between them and the mainland. While the influence of historical dynamics is well documented, less so is the impact of winds, currents, and meteo-marine conditions. This paper analyses the meteo-marine conditions for coastal navigation to better understand how these configured the main maritime routes across the islands. We focus on the seafaring communities of the Balearic Islands in the Bronze Age when a series of sites along the coastline suggest the creation of a network of coastal infrastructure to support maritime mobility.