Fiskerton log boat facts for kids
The Fiskerton log boat is a very old boat from the Iron Age. It was found in 2001 near the River Witham in Fiskerton, Lincolnshire. This special boat was made from a single oak tree trunk.
Quick facts for kids Fiskerton log boat |
|
|---|---|
| Material | Wood (Oak) |
| Size | 6 m |
| Created | 457/6-300 BC |
| Discovered | Banks of the River Witham near Fiskerton, Lincolnshire |
| Present location | The Collection, Lincoln |
Contents
How Was the Boat Found?
Early Discoveries
In 1981, archaeologists Naomi Field and Mike Parker Pearson started digging at the site. They found an old wooden path, called a causeway, from the Iron Age. They also found special items, called votive offerings, from both the Iron Age and Roman times. These items were left as gifts to gods.
The 2001 Dig
More digging happened in 2001. This time, they found more of the wooden causeway. The Corieltavi tribe used this path during the Iron Age. They would place valuable objects into the water as part of their rituals. The famous Witham Shield might have been one of these offerings.
The Fiskerton log boat was also found during this dig. It was carved from a single oak tree. You can still see the axe marks from when it was made! The boat was intentionally sunk as an offering. It might have even been made just for this special purpose.
TV Show About the Discovery
The exciting discovery at Fiskerton was featured on a TV show. It was a 'Meet the Ancestors Special' called 'Celtic Causeway'. The show first aired on March 27, 2002.
What Does the Boat Look Like?
The Fiskerton log boat is about 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) long. It was made from one large oak tree. The front of the boat, called the bow, is curved. The back, or stern, is square. A wooden board was fitted into a groove to close off the stern. Boats like this were likely used to travel on rivers. They would have carried goods from one place to another.
Why Is This Boat Important?
Dating the Causeway
Scientists used a method called dendrochronology to date the wooden causeway. This method looks at tree rings to find out how old wood is. They found that the causeway was built between 457/6 and 300 BC. This helps us understand when people lived and used this area.
Other Amazing Finds
Besides the Fiskerton log boat, another Iron Age boat was also found. Many other votive offerings were discovered too. These included a complete spear, a currency bar (a type of Iron Age money), a sword, a dagger, and some bronze fittings. These finds help us learn about the lives and beliefs of people from the Iron Age.
Where Can You See the Boat?
The Fiskerton log boat went on public display in March 2006. You can see it at The Collection museum in Lincoln.
