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Work starts on replica Bronze Age
boat

by Graham
Tutthill

A project to build a replica of the Dover Bronze Age
boat has been launched.

The archaeological research project, called Boat 1550 BC, brings
together seven partners from the UK, Belgium and France to build a
replica of the 3,500-year-old boat which was discovered below
Townwall Street, during the building of the A20, 20 years ago
(pictured below).

Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Canterbury Christ Church
University are playing key roles in the two-and-a-half-year long
project, which culminates with the sea-launch of the boat and a
major touring exhibition.

Apart from serious academic research, the project is intended to
capture the popular imagination of those living in the Transmanche
region, especially children and young people, and inspire them to
explore our shared ancient past and common heritage.

It was in 1992 that the Bronze Age boat, which had lain hidden
for centuries deep under the centre of Dover, was located during
the construction of an underpass.

Its discovery sparked several frantic days of rescue excavations
to save it from destruction.

The Boat 1550 BC project launch took place on the Roman Lawn at
Dover Museum, just a few metres away from where the now
fully-conserved vessel is housed in its own special
environmentally-controlled gallery.

The event includes demonstrations of ancient boat-building and
woodworking using authentic replica Bronze Age tools, all part of
the early stages of constructing the half scale replica.