Dan-Re: [Imperial Rome] evidence for early Phoenician presence in B

Hi Dan,

I don't think it's safe though to dismiss something simply because
of a lack of archaeological evidence (absence of evidence isn't
evidence of absence). There are many known historical facts for
which there is little or no archaeological evidence. Also, the
Phoenicians reached Spain, Britain isn't too far from Spain and the
Phoenicians were certainly capable of this easy voyage. I can't
imagine that in the hundreds of years the Phoenicians were in the
Western Mediterranean they never made the short voyage to Britain.
I don't think that it's the Phoenician presence in Britain that's
disputed, but rather the early date. Classical authors mention them
acquiring goods from Britain. I think it's more accepted that they
came later though, perhaps between the 6th and 3rd centuries B.C. I
thought one ancient author mentioned them keeping Britain's location
a secret.

However, the book article I quoted mentioned that it was the WRITING
on the tin that led them to believe it was Phoenician, and even back
then Phoenician writing I imagine could certainly be identified.

-Michael