Bronze age boat to sail again
Posted on August 14th 2009
After the discovery of two 10-metre log boats in Loch Tay and along the banks of the River Tay a group of researchers will attempt to recreate the dugout style boat using contemporary tools of the Bronze Age.
The two canoe-like boats are over 3000 years old and were excavated in 2006. The two excavations were both carved form a single tree trunk; similar to the boat builders of ancient times the new ship designers will be using a single Douglas Fir tree trunk to dig out the hull.
The researchers hope that the project will give them more insight into the lives of the crannog communities, a form of rounded loch dwelling, that surround Loch Tay and at the same time allow them to refine their knowledge of tools used to build this impressive vessels.
The team have had replica Bronze Age tool designed and made especially for the project, however they do admit that at times modern equipment will be used so that the boat is ready for its completion date at the end of the month.
The organiser of the research team also hope the public would enjoy actively participating in the ship building encouraging more people to actively get involved with their own local history.
Nick Dixon a representative of the Crannog Centre near Loch Tay explained that these dugout boats were owned by the carriage-owning people of their day and as large carrying capacity vessels, they would be vital in the transportation of goods for trade.
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