Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Tay log boat

Contributed by Dundee Art Galleries and Museums

This log boat is a great example of how local people used the vast natural resources of the Tay Valley to improve their own lives and develop the technology that was available to them. It was very deliberately and carefully made to assist with travelling along the River Tay.

Log boats have been in use since the Mesolithic, although this boat was carbon dated to 485 AD. Travel by boat rather than on foot was easier in the heavily wooded landscape. Children and other members of the community who could not travel long distances on foot could be transported from place to place, as well as gear and game. It was also much easier to navigate rivers than dark forest paths - small rivers lead to large rivers, which lead to the sea.

This boat is 8.8 metres long and was cut from a single tree. There are indentations along the sides, suggesting that there may have been seats. It also had a separate stern board. It is estimated to have taken 150 hours to build.

Comments are closed for this object

Share this link:

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã or the British Museum. The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.

About this object

Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline

Location

River Tay, found near Errol

Culture
Period

485 AD

Theme
Size
H:
60cm
W:
120cm
D:
880cm
Colour
Material

View more objects from people in Tayside and Central.

Find out more

Podcast

Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD

Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation

Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.