Around the shores of the Mediterranean, hemp found new purpose. In ancient Egypt and across the classical world, its strong fibre was used to produce ropes, sails and woven cloth that powered trade and exploration. The very word "canvas" traces its roots back to the Latin word for cannabis — a quiet reminder of just how central hemp once was to the materials of everyday life.

Hemp ropes hauled stone, rigged ships and bound cargo across the ancient trade routes. Its durability made it the material of choice wherever strength and reliability mattered. In this hall we honour the civilisations of the Mediterranean, who refined the craft of working hemp into an art and carried it across the known world.