Final answer:
The Phoenicians traveled to the British Isles to obtain tin, which was scarce in the Mediterranean but essential for bronze-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Phoenicians, renowned for their seafaring and trading skills, traveled extensively to obtain resources such as metals which were crucial for their economy and trade networks. The Phoenicians went to the British Isles in search of tin, a vital component for making bronze during the Bronze Age. As tin was scarce in the Mediterranean, they ventured to distant lands, including the British Isles, to ensure they had a sufficient supply for their metallurgical needs. With their advanced shipbuilding techniques, exemplified by the invention of the "bireme", coupled with their extensive network of colonies and trading posts, the Phoenicians were able to facilitate long-distance trade that was instrumental in supplying tin back to the Near East.