9 months ago
44
Just now
Katy Prickett,BBC News, Northamptonshire
Rockingham Forest Trust
Experimental archaeologist James Dilley (right) helped guide the volunteers through the project
Two Bronze Age-style log boats are ready to float after a team of volunteers completed their build using replica tools and fire.
The project is part of a £250,000 Heritage Lottery project to connect Stanwick Lakes, Northamptonshire, with its ancient past.
Heritage co-ordinator Nadia Norman said: "Everything has been done true to the Bronze Age era, from the tools they used to how the boats would have been piloted."
The prehistoric vessels are due to be launched at an event on 21 July.
Rockingham Forest Trust
Before they began, they cast their own replica tools using existing axes as templates, taking the heads home to whittle the wooden handles
Rockingham Forest Trust
The only methods used on the boat build were those known to be available in the Bronze Age
"Everything’s been done the hard way, so this is a huge celebration of these efforts," Ms Norman added.
The team of 10 spent more than 700 hours creating the boats from a fallen lime tree donated by Boughton House, near Kettering.
But before they could start, they created their own Bronze Age tools guided by experimental archaeologist James Dilley from AncientCraft.
The team experimented with different carving and chiselling techniques and discovered fire was also an effective way to carve out the inside of the boat.
Rockingham Forest Trust
Nadia Norman said she is looking forward to "showcasing the Herculean efforts of our volunteers and putting their creations to the test"
Rockingham Forest Trust
Fire was used to begin start hollowing out one of the logs, which was then finished off with tools
Rockingham Forest Trust
The boats' maiden voyage will take place at an event at Stanwick Lakes on 21 July
