Oct 15, 2014 03:51 PM
http://news.discovery.com/history/archae...141014.htm
"... The object confirms historical accounts of sacrifices and rituals performed at sea to protect the voyages," Sebastiano Tusa, Sicily's Superintendent of the Sea Office, told Discovery News. [...] But rituals were also officiated in between, during the navigation, passing landmarks, or in times of distress. "Their purpose was to either appease or thank gods who controlled the winds or who could aid in proper navigation, or when auspicious natural features were within sight, like mountain peaks or landmarks dedicated to deities," Brody said....
"... The object confirms historical accounts of sacrifices and rituals performed at sea to protect the voyages," Sebastiano Tusa, Sicily's Superintendent of the Sea Office, told Discovery News. [...] But rituals were also officiated in between, during the navigation, passing landmarks, or in times of distress. "Their purpose was to either appease or thank gods who controlled the winds or who could aid in proper navigation, or when auspicious natural features were within sight, like mountain peaks or landmarks dedicated to deities," Brody said....