On 21st July 2024, against the beautiful backdrop of Solstice Lake, the Big Bronze Age Boat Launch commenced.
The event was a celebration of the Boat Build project, but also a celebration of the rich history of the site. Visitors enjoyed exploring historical foods, ancient textiles, a Viking camp and a display from Cambridgeshire Archaeological Unit about Must Farm – “Britain’s Pompei”
Before the launch, Dr James Dilley used the magic of bronze casting to create a blade – a sacrifice to the lake in the hopes of a successful launch!
(Photo credit Emma Jones / Ancient Craft.)
The boat build volunteers worked on the finishing touches to the vessels throughout the day, fixing the transom boards in place with clay from the lake.
The two main log boats were tied together with a willow woven panel, much like modern catamarans, to add more stability and space.
And then it was time to launch. As the log boats entered the calm and clear waters of Solstice Lake, the crowd cheered as they raised their paddles in celebration!
The log boats were soon joined by the individual log boat, which was just as graceful on the water.
The volunteer team had been prepared enough to take with them balls of wet clay from the lakebed, in preparation for any leaks that may occur in the water. Also of interest was how the two transom boards would work. Although the volunteers had worked very hard to make sure they fit tightly into the open stern, there was still some concern about how they would hold against the water pressure. But they did hold, and not one ball of clay was required to plug any holes.
The boats also moved in the water relatively fast, for paddle propelled vessels. The larger paddles made for much more accurate steering, and even the catamaran style log boats felt light and easy to manoeuvre in the water.
A regatta of other vessels soon joined the Bronze Age log boats – a Viking long ship, replica Medieval Coracles and the Northants Fire and Rescue Service rescue boat. There was a bit of competition between them all, and the fire service crew even enjoyed some practice rescues along the way!
The event was a wonderful milestone for the project and for Stanwick Lakes. The whole project has been one of learning and experiences, and has been a real insight into not just ancient crafting techniques but also how they could have been used on the ancient river ways to travel and trade over 4,000 years ago.
We are incredibly proud of the volunteers and their commitment to making this extraordinary project happen, and we are excited to plan the next steps of this incredible heritage journey!
