The Greek historian, Herodotus, provides the first reference to a circumnavigation of Africa in around 600 BC, which was made by the Phoenicians. They were strong seafarers and traders who lived in the area that is now part of Lebanon and Syria. They are also credited as one of the first civilisations to use an alphabet extensively.
An expedition is setting off from Arwad Island, off the coast of Syria, to recreate such a circumnavigation in a replica of the type of ship the Phoenicians would have used. It is entirely wooden and has only one sail.
They will be sailing clockwise round Africa, and the most challenging part of the trip will be getting around the Cape of Good Hope which is subject to some nasty storms and rough sea conditions. They hope to get there in December / January.
The entire voyage is estimated to take a year.
More information is available from the BBC.
