Does anyone have any resources on the development of ports in the pre-modern era? Looking for anything pre-steam engine and after the beginning of widespread use of sailing ships.

My thoughts from reading thus far are that draft is probably the most important factor. After draft, things that vary draft like tides, silt, weather, rocks and reefs would be up next. Third would be land accessibility for continued transport over land unless the port is strictly a waypoint port or of military significance. Some ports are oceanside, others go some distance up a river (some quite far in the modern age and apparently even historically).

Is there a good book, website, or other resource on the subject that you know of? I find a lot on navigation, development of ships, etc. but not much on the actual importance of site in the port development since it was likely an organic process.

- Ernie