Ship construction in the ancient world developed in response to the perceived need for bigger, stronger vessels. Double planking allowed the ancient shipwrights to build vast, strong hulls whilst keeping the ships light and manoeuvrable. The technique used two types of wood, with the inner layer constructed from a softer material than the exterior. In some cases a layer of lead separated the two woods in vulnerable areas of the ship, while cloth or wool soaked in wax would also be placed between the layers to add waterproofing.
