Dover Bronze Age Boat

In the heart of Dover, nestled within the Dover Museum, lies a remarkable relic of ancient maritime history – the Dover Bronze Age Boat. This extraordinary artifact, dating back to around 1550 BC, offers a captivating glimpse into the seafaring capabilities of our Bronze Age ancestors and stands as a testament to their ingenuity and craftsmanship.

The Discovery of the Dover Bronze Age Boat

The story of the Dover Bronze Age Boat begins on a seemingly ordinary day in September 1992. Construction workers, busy with the new A20 road link between Folkestone and Dover, stumbled upon a remarkable find buried six meters beneath a road and 200 meters inland. What they had unearthed was a large prehistoric boat, remarkably well-preserved and estimated to be over 3,500 years old. Archaeologists from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust quickly joined the excavation, realizing the significance of this discovery.

Due to the boat's precarious location near buildings, it was deemed too risky to excavate the entire vessel. Instead, the team carefully cut the boat into sections, ultimately recovering a 9.5-meter-long portion. This recovered section is believed to represent up to two-thirds of the boat's original size, making it one of the most substantial and intact Bronze Age boats ever found.

Construction and Craftsmanship

The Dover Bronze Age Boat showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of its builders. Constructed primarily from oak planks, the boat's planks were stitched together using yew lashings, a technique with a long history in British prehistory. Wooden wedges driven into cleats carved from the planks further secured the vessel. This method of construction is similar to that used in the Ferriby boats, another group of ancient sewn-plank boats found in East Yorkshire.

One of the boat's most intriguing features is its width. At approximately two meters wide, it is significantly broader than the dugout canoes of the time, allowing for the possibility of seating two people side by side. This width, combined with its sturdy construction, suggests that the boat was designed for more than just river navigation.

The Oldest Sea-Going Boat?

The discovery of the Dover Bronze Age Boat has sparked debates among archaeologists and historians about its potential as a sea-going vessel. The River Dour, which flows into the English Channel, has led to speculation that this boat may have been used for cross-Channel journeys. While there is ample evidence of cross-Channel communication during the Bronze Age, the exact nature of the boats used for such voyages remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Some experts argue that the Dover Boat's design, with its curved 'rocker' bottom and (potentially) pointed bow, makes it a strong candidate for a sea-going vessel. This view is supported by the Dover Museum, which considers the boat to be the oldest known sea-going craft, dating back to around 1550 BC.

Conservation and Display

After its excavation, the Dover Bronze Age Boat underwent an extensive preservation process. Initially kept in a waterlogged state at the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth, the boat was eventually returned to Dover Museum in 1998 for reassembly. Today, it is displayed in a glass case as the centerpiece of a dedicated floor in the museum, which focuses on archaeology.

The display includes a modern reconstruction of a section of the boat, providing visitors with a clearer understanding of its original appearance and construction techniques. This exhibit has garnered acclaim, winning an award for archaeological display in 2000.

Reconstructions and Experiments

The fascination with the Dover Bronze Age Boat has led to several reconstruction efforts. A full-size three-meter section of the boat was initially built to experiment with construction techniques. This section is also housed in the Dover Museum alongside the original.

In 2012, a half-size reconstruction of the Dover Boat was completed in Dover. Although initially assembled using modern materials, this reconstruction was later dismantled and reassembled using authentic Bronze Age materials, including moss mixed with animal fat for caulking and yew lashings for stitching. This reconstructed boat, named after one of its builders, Ole Crumlin-Pederson, has since been sailed out from Dover Harbour and featured in a Time Team Special on UK Channel 4.

Additionally, an almost full-size reconstruction of a sewn plank boat was created at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in 2012-2013. Launched in March 2013, this boat has sailed around Falmouth Harbour, furthering our understanding of Bronze Age seafaring.

Visiting the Dover Bronze Age Boat

A visit to the Dover Museum to see the Bronze Age Boat is a journey back in time, offering a unique opportunity to connect with our ancient ancestors. The museum's thoughtful display and informative exhibits provide a comprehensive understanding of the boat's significance and the context in which it was built and used.

As you stand before this ancient vessel, you can't help but marvel at the ingenuity and skill of the Bronze Age craftsmen who created it. The Dover Bronze Age Boat is not just an archaeological artifact; it is a tangible link to our shared human heritage, a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and innovation that has driven humanity for millennia.

In conclusion, the Dover Bronze Age Boat is a must-see for anyone interested in history, archaeology, or maritime heritage. Its discovery, preservation, and display are a testament to the dedication of the archaeologists and conservators who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this remarkable piece of history can be appreciated by generations to come. So, if you find yourself in Dover, don't miss the chance to witness this extraordinary relic of the Bronze Age and delve into the fascinating world of our ancient seafaring ancestors.