Recreated Bronze Age boat to cross Channel
Archaeologists are planning to build a copy of an ancient boat found in Dover and sail it from Britain to France. The original was found by chance in 1992 in a water filled shaft during roadworks in the town. It was one of the best preserved examples of a coastal vessel from the Bronze age ever found. Studied intensively by experts at Dover museum, the only way they say they can find out more is to build a replica... John Iverson from Dover museum describes it as "a remarkable feat of engineering" and will copy the materials of the original: yew timber, bees wax and moss.
A section of the boat has already been reconstructed but the project is expected to cost £200,000 in total. Funding is now being sought, but some may be available from the EU, as French museums are involved in the project. The boat will probably take three years to complete and after the crossing, it is hoped it will go on tour in Britain and France.
(adapted from the article at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4056021.stm)
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Posted by Rhiannon
1st December 2004ce
Edited 17th February 2006ce
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