These Ancient Log Boats Unearthed in England Were Each Carved From a Single Tree Trunk 3,000 Years Ago

First discovered in 2011, three vessels are the centerpiece of a new exhibition about craftsmanship and transportation methods in Bronze Age Britain

The log boats were all made the same way, but each one is unique.

In 2011, archaeologists in England made a remarkable discovery in an ancient riverbed, uncovering nine remarkably preserved log boats dating from 2,500 to 3,500 years ago.

After more than a decade of careful preservation, three of these vessels are now being exhibited for the first time. They are the centerpiece of a new exhibition, “Bronze Age Boat Discoveries at Must Farm”, held at Flag Fen Archaeology Park in Peterborough, England.

These boats provide valuable insights into the carpentry skills, construction methods, and transportation techniques of Bronze Age communities.

The exhibition at the Flag Fen Archaeology Park gives visitors a chance to see the boats up close.

“It’s amazing to consider that these boats were carved from solid logs 3,000 years ago using only bronze axes you can even see the marks,” says Jacqueline Mooney, general manager of the archaeology park, speaking to BBC News’ Katy Prickett and Tom Jackson.

All the vessels were crafted by hollowing out a single tree trunk, yet each one is unique. One, dating to the Middle Bronze Age, is a 20-foot-long oak boat with charred areas inside. Another, a seven-foot oak fragment also from the Middle Bronze Age, shows evidence of hull repairs. The third, a 2.6-foot fragment made of field maple, comes from the Early Bronze Age.

Archaeologist Iona Robinson Zeki from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit explains, “The construction techniques highlight how different types and sizes of trees were chosen to produce boats ranging from small, maneuverable canoes to long, stable vessels. These boats were used for laying fish traps and possibly transporting people, animals, and materials.”

The boats’ importance grew as the landscape transformed. Initially, the region experienced seasonal flooding, but over time it became persistently wet and eventually turned into a swamp, making water transport essential. “This is our heritage what our ancestors were doing 3,000 years ago,” Mooney tells BBC News.

The exhibition not only showcases the boats but also features Bronze Age tool replicas, interactive displays, and live crafting demonstrations. The remaining six vessels discovered in 2011 are still being preserved in climate-controlled conditions using a soClution of water and polyethylene glycol to prevent the wood from drying out and crumbling. Visitors can observe this conservation process through the windows of the park’s Conservation Barn.

Researchers are still exploring why the boats ended up in the riverbed. One theory is that they were intentionally submerged to prevent splitting, allowing them to be reused later. Some vessels appear well-preserved, supporting this idea, while others with major cracks may have been discarded at the end of their service life. Submersion for ritual purposes is another possibility.

Regardless of the reason, the boats provide a meaningful connection to the people who once lived in the area. “The Must Farm boats have rested undisturbed for over 3,000 years, preserved in the peaty silence of time,” Mooney says. “Through our new exhibition, they now reemerge to tell their story.”