Maritime history is the study of human interaction with and activity at sea. It covers a broad thematic element of history that often uses a global approach, although national and regional histories remain predominant. As an academic subject, it often crosses the boundaries of standard disciplines , focusing on understanding humankind's various relationships to the oceans, seas , and major waterways of the globe.
Nautical history records and interprets past events involving ships, shipping, navigation, and seafarers. Maritime history is the broad overarching subject that includes fishing , whaling , international maritime law , naval history , the history of ships , ship design, shipbuilding , the history of navigation , the history of the various maritime-related sciences oceanography , cartography , hydrography , etc. Historians from many lands have published monographs, popular and scholarly articles, and collections of archival resources.
A leading journal is International Journal of Maritime History , a fully refereed scholarly journal published twice a year by the International Maritime Economic History Association. Based in Canada with an international editorial board, it explores the maritime dimensions of economic, social, cultural, and environmental history. It contains over articles by scholars and runs pages. Dear and Peter Kemp, eds.
Typically, studies of merchant shipping and of defensive navies are seen as separate fields. Inland waterways are included within 'maritime history,' especially inland seas such as the Great Lakes of North America , and major navigable rivers and canals worldwide. One approach to maritime history writing has been nicknamed 'rivet counting' because of a focus on the minutiae of the vessel. However, revisionist scholars are creating new turns in the study of maritime history. This includes a posts turn towards the study of human users of ships which involves sociology, cultural geography, gender studies and narrative studies ; [ 7 ] and post turn towards seeing sea travel as part of the wider history of transport and mobilities.
Watercraft such as rafts and boats have been used far into pre-historic times and possibly even by Homo erectus more than a million years ago crossing straits between landmasses. Little evidence remains that would pinpoint when the first seafarer made their journey.
