Dover Bronze Age Boat
Encyclopedia
Dover Bronze Age boat is one of the few Bronze Age
boats to be found in Britain. It dates to 1575-1520BC. The boat was made using oak planks sewn together with yew lashings. This technique has a long tradition of use in British prehistory; the oldest known examples are from Ferriby
in east Yorkshire. It is currently on display at Dover Museum.
, working alongside construction workers for a new road link between Folkestone and Dover, uncovered what remained of a large prehistoric boat thought to be 3,500 years old.
After nearly a month of excavation 9.5 metres of the boat was eventually recovered. Depending on different views of the true size of the complete boat this 9.5 metres could be up to two thirds of the full size of the boat.
at Portsmouth
. After a long process of preservation the boat returned to Dover Museum to be re-assembled in 1998.
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
boats to be found in Britain. It dates to 1575-1520BC. The boat was made using oak planks sewn together with yew lashings. This technique has a long tradition of use in British prehistory; the oldest known examples are from Ferriby
Ferriby Boats
The Ferriby Boats are three Bronze Age sewn plank-built boats, parts of which were discovered at North Ferriby in the East Riding of the English county of Yorkshire...
in east Yorkshire. It is currently on display at Dover Museum.
Discovery and excavation
On 28 September 1992, archaeologists from the Canterbury Archaeological TrustCanterbury Archaeological Trust
Canterbury Archaeological Trust is an independent charity formed in 1975 to undertake rescue excavation, research, publication and the presentation of the results of its work for the benefit of the public.The Trust's main activities are to:...
, working alongside construction workers for a new road link between Folkestone and Dover, uncovered what remained of a large prehistoric boat thought to be 3,500 years old.
After nearly a month of excavation 9.5 metres of the boat was eventually recovered. Depending on different views of the true size of the complete boat this 9.5 metres could be up to two thirds of the full size of the boat.
Conservation and re-assembly
Whilst in the ground the boat was significantly protected from being destroyed by waterlogging and a cover of silt which protected it from bacteria. After being removed from the ground the boat was kept in a waterlogged state at the Mary Rose TrustMary Rose Trust
The Mary Rose Trust is a limited charitable trust based in Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Its primary aims are to preserve, display and spread knowledge about the 16th century warship Mary Rose which sank in the Solent on 19 July 1545 and was salvaged by the Trust in October 1982.The Mary Rose...
at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. After a long process of preservation the boat returned to Dover Museum to be re-assembled in 1998.