Unearthed after millennia of secrets beneath the mud, three extraordinary Bronze and Iron Age log boats have finally broken the surface, yielding fresh insights into the lives of our prehistoric ancestors.
These remarkable finds were part of a larger group of nine discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry thirteen years ago, making it one of the largest collections of prehistoric boats ever unearthed in the same UK site. One of the vessels was remarkably well-preserved and still floated after its long period of dormancy.
The log boats now on display have revealed tantalizing details about the techniques employed by our ancient forebears in their carpentry, construction, and transportation methods. Analysis has shed light on the specific tree species used, the methods of felling trees, as well as the tools utilized in creating these remarkable vessels.
The three boats now on permanent display showcase a range of craftsmanship and skill, from a 6.3-metre long oak vessel dating back to the Middle Bronze Age that exhibits areas of charring inside, to a tiny fragment of an early Bronze Age boat made of field maple measuring just 0.8 metres in length.
These incredible log boats were discovered in the ancient riverbed of a creek near Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, which had once been home to human activity dating back around 2,500-3,500 years ago. The area gradually transformed from being seasonally wet to becoming permanently waterlogged as groundwater levels rose over time.
One fascinating aspect of these log boats is the fact that some may have been intentionally submerged in the water to prevent cracking or warping, suggesting they were intended for eventual retrieval at a later date. However, most vessels appear to have reached their functional limits and ceased being used.
The conservation project, funded by Forterra, Historic England, and Peterborough city council, has brought these incredible finds back to life through meticulous excavation, preservation, and storytelling. The new exhibition now open at Flag Fen archaeology park promises to bring this extraordinary chapter of our shared human past to the public's attention.
As one researcher noted, "These simple yet supremely effective boats were used to navigate a fenland river for almost a millennium." They tell us about the skills of our ancient forebears and reveal an intriguing glimpse into their lives.
These remarkable finds were part of a larger group of nine discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry thirteen years ago, making it one of the largest collections of prehistoric boats ever unearthed in the same UK site. One of the vessels was remarkably well-preserved and still floated after its long period of dormancy.
The log boats now on display have revealed tantalizing details about the techniques employed by our ancient forebears in their carpentry, construction, and transportation methods. Analysis has shed light on the specific tree species used, the methods of felling trees, as well as the tools utilized in creating these remarkable vessels.
The three boats now on permanent display showcase a range of craftsmanship and skill, from a 6.3-metre long oak vessel dating back to the Middle Bronze Age that exhibits areas of charring inside, to a tiny fragment of an early Bronze Age boat made of field maple measuring just 0.8 metres in length.
These incredible log boats were discovered in the ancient riverbed of a creek near Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, which had once been home to human activity dating back around 2,500-3,500 years ago. The area gradually transformed from being seasonally wet to becoming permanently waterlogged as groundwater levels rose over time.
One fascinating aspect of these log boats is the fact that some may have been intentionally submerged in the water to prevent cracking or warping, suggesting they were intended for eventual retrieval at a later date. However, most vessels appear to have reached their functional limits and ceased being used.
The conservation project, funded by Forterra, Historic England, and Peterborough city council, has brought these incredible finds back to life through meticulous excavation, preservation, and storytelling. The new exhibition now open at Flag Fen archaeology park promises to bring this extraordinary chapter of our shared human past to the public's attention.
As one researcher noted, "These simple yet supremely effective boats were used to navigate a fenland river for almost a millennium." They tell us about the skills of our ancient forebears and reveal an intriguing glimpse into their lives.
. I mean, can you imagine living in a time where you had to build your own boats from scratch? The craftsmanship is insane! 
6.3 meters of oak? That's like, a major undertaking. And the fact that some of them were intentionally submerged to keep 'em straight? Genius 
. It's crazy to think that these vessels were used for over a millennium. I need to see this exhibit ASAP 
. The conservation project does amazing work, btw 
. It's cool how they're bringing it all back to life through storytelling and whatnot 
. Flag Fen is on my bucket list now 
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I guess it's cool that we're getting to see these boats again, but also kinda harsh on our ancient ancestors who had to deal with warping and cracking vessels all the time 
these log boats are mind-blowing! I mean, can you imagine building something that long ago and still having it float after all this time? The fact that some might've been intentionally submerged to prevent warping is genius 
. I'm so stoked this exhibit is open now and we can get a glimpse into their lives 
the conservation project did an amazing job bringing these boats back to life. It's crazy to think about how much they've been through, from being submerged in water to being excavated and preserved 
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one thing that got me thinking was how these log boats might've played a role in trade and travel during that time period. Maybe they were used to transport goods or even people along the river 
. Either way, it's clear we can learn so much from these incredible finds 
they're like 3k yrs old! i mean, can u imagine buildin a boat from scratch without all the fancy tech we got now? 
And the fact that some might have been intentionally submerged to prevent warping... mind blown 
The history behind these finds is just so rich and fascinating 
I'm defo going to check out this exhibition at Flag Fen archaeology park as soon as I can 
I was reading about them in my history book for school and now I get to see the real thing online! 
It's so cool that they found all these boats together - it's like a treasure trove of ancient knowledge. And the fact that some of them might have been intentionally submerged is just wild 
anyway cant wait to check out this new exhibition at Flag Fen archaeology park, it's gonna be so cool to see these boats up close 
I'm telling you, this log boat thingy is just too convenient 
. I mean, have they even checked for any...ahem...'modern' materials in these ancient boats? 
on the other hand, it's super interesting to see the craftsmanship and all that jazz. I'm actually kinda impressed by the fact that some of them were intentionally submerged, like what was going through their minds? 
] 
. but seriously, can you believe how well-preserved they are? 6.3m oak boat is like a work of art, i mean who needs IKEA when you've got ancient tree trunks to build with 
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! I mean, think about it, they've been buried under mud for thousands of years and still managed to float after all this time. It's crazy! And the fact that some of them were probably meant to be retrieved later is wild 
. And the fact that some of them were used for so long is just amazing. Like, can you imagine navigating a river with one of these things? It must've been tough but also super rewarding.
. I mean, they're pretty cool and all, but we're only seeing the surface-level stuff here. Where's the meat? The real stories behind why these people built these boats in the first place? What was life like for them, aside from just navigating rivers? We know they had skills, sure, but what about their social structures, politics, or daily lives?
. And that one boat was still floating after all these years?!?! 
Anyway, can't wait to check out the exhibition at Flag Fen and learn more about our ancient ancestors' life 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to check out some seriously cool prehistoric tech? 