Ancient Viking boat. Researchers on the verge of discoveries buried under a bar

Scientists from Nottingham lead a team that examines an antique boat buried under the parking lot of a bar to find out where it came from and how old it is.

The boat is under the Railway Inn bar on the Wirral River. Archaeological surveys will begin later this month. Phys.org writes that Professor Steve Harding, director of the National Center for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics at the University of Nottingham, will analyze wood and environmental samples taken from the boat to help reveal the precise details of its origin.

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Professor Harding himself is from Wirral and is an expert on the history of the Vikings in the area. He will lead the work with fellow archaeologists Chas Jones and the Wirral Archeology Community Interest Company.

He says: “In 1938 the workers found the ship and partially opened it. However, the foremen immediately ordered them to hide it again. Fortunately, one of the workers left detailed notes and a picture of the ship. With this, see that the buried ship has a clinker structure (consisting of overlapping slabs) – A boat design originating in Scandinavia.

Its length is about 6-8 m and judging by the drawing it is an old transport ship or fishing boat. It is hidden in water-filled blue clay, which is an ideal preservative since insects cannot grow and destroy the wood. In fact, there are very few archaeological vessels found in such material.

“The ship most likely comes from a period when this area was heavily populated by Scandinavians or their descendants. A study we conducted in partnership with Leicester State University showed a high prevalence of Y chromosomal DNA of Scandinavian origin in this area from older people (surname 1600), the archaeologist said. (before BC) people, but frankly, we just don’t know and we’re keeping our pulse,” adds the archaeologist.

Scans showed the ship was still there. Now the team will systematically descend and drill about 100 narrow holes in a wide area in front of the tavern where the boat lies, hiding about 3m below the surface. Through these holes, scientists will be able to take small samples of wood and the environment for a full analysis. In this way, researchers will be able to minimize damage to the ship compared to what could happen when trying to bring the structure to the surface.

This boat has long been of interest to archaeologists, but not a single professional study and detailed analysis has yet been done. It is believed to date back to the Viking Age, so everyone is in anticipation of what will be discovered immediately.

Previously Focus wrote about the sunken ship “Westmorland”. It is believed to still contain $20 million worth of gold and a stash of whiskey.

Researchers also discovered that when Vikings arrived in England, they brought not only helmets, axes and beards, but also their own animals.

Source: Focus

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