The effects of wind and movement of water has aided in transport since man first observed floating debris in the waterways.

Archimedes of Syracuse discovered the principle of buoyancy and formulated this law in 212 B.C.

Buoyancy = weight of displaced fluid

This law called the Archimedes’ principle however does not consider surface tension acting upon the body, this only modifies the amount of fluid displaced, so the principle still remains valid.

Using this law of buoyancy the building of boats could become more scientific and thus more successful.

It has been recorded that Egypt had the first known sailing vessels. In a land where very limited rain fell, the population lived close to the Nile river banks. Praying for yearly flooding, in the hope that it would make the land more fertile.

Early farmers, who survived by growing crops, mainly barley, wheat, dates and other fruit and vegetables.  Canals were dug to transport the water from the Nile as far inland as possible. The goods farmers grew were transported by donkey or alternatively they made rafts from Papyrus moving them by sticking poles into the water.

Later the Egyptians made sails and more effective wooden boats to carry people and goods along the Nile. The efficient use of wind and water flow to aid in transporting goods and people far and wide. This allowed the Egyptians to travel greater and greater distances, harvesting resources as they traveled.