Tanit, The Phonecian Goddess

We owe this recognition to Mrs. Gloria Farley. The image below is reproduced from her popular book, IN PLAIN SIGHT . This engraving of a ship and its patroness, Tanit, exists a short distance away from the main body of work at Inyo in a small natural alcove. This is one of three ships found so far at Inyo.

This image was not pecked as grafitti. It was created as a honorific with the intent of envoking safe passage for the ship and sailors who traveled on it. This ship is obviously multi-masted. This is a feature of ancient sea-going craft long suspected, but rarely depicted. Phonecian and Punic seafaring ventures had ports to access both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. What port these Inyo visitors called home is an unknown. The scar in the center is the result of flyrock from nearby quarrying activities.

Tanit, sometimes spelled Tanith, was the patroness of Phonecian and Punic ships and sailors. Her image is found in ancient ports throughout the Mediterranean and well documented. For more information see Pilgrims.