Ancient Egyptian Port Berenike Reveals the Hidden Connections Between Distant Civilizations.

An ancient Roman bireme sails across a vibrant, stylized nautical chart, reflecting the spirit of historical exploration and seafaring. Above, Roman denarii from 90 BCE, discovered on Thoddu Island, evoke a connection to the past.

The ancient port city of Berenike, located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, was a cornerstone of Roman trade during the first six centuries of the Roman Empire (1st century BC to 6th century AD). As a vital hub, it facilitated the exchange of goods between the Mediterranean world, India, Arabia, and eastern Africa. The archaeological discovery of Roman-era cowrie shells in Berenike’s late Roman harbor temple, dated to the 4th and 5th centuries AD, provides compelling evidence of the port’s role in connecting the Roman Empire with the Indian Ocean trade networks. Originating primarily from the Maldives, these shells highlight the archipelago’s significance as a key supplier and underscore the intricate web of commerce and cultural exchange that defined Berenike’s legacy. The significance of these findings, their connection to Maldivian trade networks, and their implications for understanding Berenike’s role in ancient global trade are profound.

Berenike: A Gateway to the Indian Ocean

Established in the 3rd century BC by Ptolemy II, Berenike prospered as a crucial port connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean realm. Throughout the first six centuries of the Roman Empire, it acted as a channel for exotic goods like spices, textiles, precious stones, and cowrie shells, which were traded for Roman exports such as wine, glassware, and coins. The finding of cowrie shells (Monetaria moneta) in the late Roman harbor temple at Berenike, dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD, highlights their dual purpose as trade items and ritual artifacts. Discovered in a sacred setting, these shells were likely used as offerings or symbols of wealth, illustrating the diverse nature of Berenike’s population, which included Greek, Roman, Indian, and African communities.

Ancient port city of Berenike

In ancient times, cowrie shells were prized for their durability, uniformity, and visual appeal. Mainly sourced from the Maldives, they served as an early form of currency across Africa, Asia, and parts of the Mediterranean. Their discovery in Berenike highlights the port's role in distributing these shells to Mediterranean markets through advanced maritime routes powered by monsoon winds. These routes linked Red Sea ports like Berenike and Myos Hormos with Indian Ocean centers such as Arikamedu in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, illustrating the complexity of ancient trade networks.

The Maldives, strategically situated in the Indian Ocean, was a key source of cowrie shells, leading Arab traders to refer to it as the “Money Isles” by the 2nd century CE. Archaeological findings, including a Roman Denarius on Thoddoo Island (1st century BC) and Byzantine gold coins on Gan Island (7th century AD), demonstrate the Maldives’ involvement in Roman and Byzantine trade networks.

Fifth-century gold coin of Emperor Leo I, unearthed on Laamu Gan Island, Maldives, at a monastic site likely founded in the sixth century AD.

These artifacts imply that Maldivian traders, or intermediaries such as Arab or Indian merchants, played a role in trading goods with the Mediterranean, likely through ports like Berenike. Historical accounts further corroborate this, mentioning Maldivian emissaries visiting Rome in 362 AD and China in 662 AD, which indicates active engagement in long-distance trade and diplomacy.

The Bengal-Maldives cowrie trade, one of the largest shell currency networks in history, underscores the Maldives’ economic significance. From the 9th to the 19th centuries, cowries were exported to Bengal, where they served as legal tender alongside gold and silver. In return, the Maldives imported rice, a vital staple. The cowrie shells found at Berenike align with this period of robust trade, suggesting that Maldivian shells reached the Roman Empire via Red Sea ports. Other Maldivian exports, such as coir Ambergris , Turtle shells, and Coco di Mare, (coconut fiber used for ship rigging) and dried tuna (Maldive fish), further integrated the archipelago into Indian Ocean commerce, with trade partners including India, Sri Lanka, Yemen, and China.

Berenike’s Role in Global Trade Networks

During the Roman Empire’s first six centuries, Berenike was a linchpin in the trade network connecting the Mediterranean with India, Arabia, and eastern Africa. The port facilitated the movement of goods across vast distances, with cowrie shells serving as a key commodity linking the Indian Ocean to the Roman world. The shells’ presence in Berenike suggests that intermediaries, likely Arab or Indian traders, played a crucial role in this trade. The discovery of Roman and Byzantine coins in the Maldives further indicates that Mediterranean currencies circulated in the Indian Ocean, reflecting a two-way flow of goods and wealth.These findings challenge earlier perceptions of a fragmented ancient world, revealing a highly interconnected system of commerce and cultural exchange. Berenike’s strategic location enabled it to serve as a gateway for goods and ideas, amplifying connections between the Roman Empire and the Indian Ocean. The Maldives, despite its geographic isolation, emerges as a central player in supplying cowries and other goods that fueled global trade.

Summary

The discovery of Roman-era cowrie shells at Berenike’s late Roman harbor temple offers a window into the vibrant trade networks that linked the Roman Empire with the Indian Ocean world during its first six centuries. Originating from the Maldives, these shells highlight the archipelago’s critical role as a supplier of valuable commodities and a participant in long-distance trade. Combined with archaeological evidence of Roman and Byzantine coins in the Maldives and historical records of Maldivian diplomacy, these findings underscore Berenike’s role as a vital hub connecting the Mediterranean with India, Arabia, and eastern Africa. The cowrie shells, small yet profound, stand as enduring symbols of the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations, bridging the Red Sea and Indian Ocean in a shared history of trade and cultural exchange.