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It's back to the roots for boatbuilding!
A dedicated team of historical experts will be going back to the roots of boatbuilding using bronze age tools to carve a replica of a bronze age longboat. Now that's dedication.
The replica is being based on the original Carpow longboat discovered in Loch Tay Photo: Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust
The hard work is all in the name of experimental archaeology of course. The team hope that by building the replica longboat they will learn more about how past societies built sailing vessels and were able to take to the water.
The three week project is running on the banks of Loch Tay in Scotland. It is being conducted by the Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) in partnership with the Scottish Crannog Centre, and supported by the Big Tree Country Heritage & Access Project (BTC HAAP).
The boat is being carved from the trunk of a massive 12m long sitka spruce. It will be crafted using tools and techniques from around 3,000 years ago.
PKHY staff, volunteers and the Crannog crew will work under the guidance of woodworking specialist Damian Goodburn to transform the log from a mere trunk to finished the craft using replica Bronze Age axes, adges and chisels.
The project was inspired by the discovery of a bronze age Carpow logboat in Loch Tay dating to around 1000BC. It is currently undergoing conservation at the National Museums of Scotland after it having been raised.
David Strachan, PKHT manager, says, ‘We’ll use replica Late Bronze Age axes, much smaller than their modern day counterparts, and the finished vessel will be around 10m long. This project offers a rare opportunity to see experimental archaeology in action and would make for a great day out, along with a visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre, to try out some of the early technology.’
The project was funded primarily through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS), with contributions from PKCT partners and the landowners.
Members of the public are welcome to visit the project on the shores of Loch Tay at the Forestry Picnic site of Dalerb, just outside Kenmore until Saturday 29 August. Visiting hours are between 10am and 3pm.
http://www.maritimejournal.com/archive101/2009/august/online_news/its_back_to_the_roots_for_boatbuilding!
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