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Bronze Age Boat - One of the Objects Telling a History of Kent and its Place in the World

Dover Museum and museums across the county have joined BBC Radio Kent to announce ten objects that tell a history of Kent and its place in the world – which includes the amazing Bronze Age Boat at Dover Museum.

The list of ten objects for Kent was announced this week as part of the wider A History of the World project, formed out of a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.

The Bronze Age Boat was discovered in September 1992 during major road works in the centre of Dover, when archaeologists discovered the remains of a large wooden prehistoric boat.  Radio carbon dating has shown the boat to be about 3,550 years old. It was a find of international significance that has helped shed new light on early seafaring and woodworking skills in Northern Europe. About two thirds of the boat has been recovered - about 9.5m by 2.4m. A boat this size would have been capable of crossing the channel, carrying a large cargo of supplies, livestock and passengers. It was probably propelled by at least 18 paddlers.

The list for Kent also includes the World War 1 leather football at the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regimental Museum at Dover Castle, and a range of other objects across the county. The History of the World project will also be asking people to suggest further objects, and they can actively participate by uploading photographs of their own objects that have a local or global appeal.

For more information on the ten objects for Kent or for information on the History of the World project please see links or for information of the Bronze Age Boat please see the Dover Museum website.

Date: 22/01/2010
Contact:  Andy Steele
Telephone:  01304 821199
Fax:  01304 872062
Press Office Direct Line:  01304 872020
E-Mail:  pr@dover.gov.uk

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