Re: rollocks! | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

PeterH Nov 21, 2005 09:35:21

Replying to StoneLifter

I would concede that the Scandinavian rock art could show plank built boats of the Bronze Age, but they all have that underwater forward protruding prow which would sit uncomfortably with a keel. As this thread originated with Neolithic boats, I feel safer in identifying pre-bronze Age craft with skin stretched frames and log boats. Log boats would have been fine for lakes and rivers, but not so effective at sea as skin boats (curragh type). Being long, low and narrow, they would have coped badly with heavy seas and would not have been much use in moving livestock around. On the contrary, skin boats can be of any size and can be deep bellied for cargo and fishing as well as slim and fast for war.

FourWinds Nov 21, 2005 10:16:04

Replying to PeterH

"Being long, low and narrow, they would have coped badly with heavy seas and would not have been much use in moving livestock around"

You mean like the ones in the open sequences of Hawaii Five O which are being used at sea? :-)

A log boat with an outrigger is extremely stable and fine for coastal seas.

fitzcoraldo Nov 21, 2005 10:23:00

Replying to PeterH

"but they all have that underwater forward protruding prow which would sit uncomfortably with a keel".

Not all, only some Peter. If you want to see a similar feature check out a Bronze Age Phoenecian warship.

As for your second point, why do you readily discard the idea of plank boats being used in the Neolithic? As Mr Lifter points out, we know the carpenters were up to the job and the materials were readily available. There was obviously a decent knowledge of seamanship in the Neolithic. All the elements are there, all we need is for someone to dig one of the buggers up. Maybe, one day, one will be found on a submerged Doggerland beach.