Replica Bronze Age Boat Paddled By Crew of 19

News May 28, 2013

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CORNWALL, ENGLAND—Archaeologists and volunteers from the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth tested a full-sized replica of a Bronze-Age boat hewn from solid oak. The seven-ton, flat-bottomed vessel proved to be stable and quick for its size. “I could turn her quite easily with the rudder paddle. One thing we’ve learned already is that because she sits very high in the water, it is likely she can probably carry a much greater load than we first thought,” said lead archaeologist Robert Van de Noort. Further experiments are planned for the boat, named Morgawr, after a mythical sea serpent of Falmouth Bay.

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