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Poole Log Boat Settles Into Its New Home

Poole's 2,000-year-old log boat is moving to a new home, marking the end of a 10 year conservation project.

The Iron Age boat, which was found during dredging in Poole Harbour in 1964, is being moved to Poole Museum with help of volunteers from Poole Amateur Rowing Club. 

Its ancient timber is now in the final stages of expert cleaning before it is placed in a specially-built exhibition case which will go on show at the redeveloped Poole Museum when it reopens in June.

Councillor Elaine Atkinson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community Support, said: "The log boat has international and major historical importance. It is more than 2,000 years old and represents an important part of Poole's maritime history."

"Completing this project is an exciting milestone for the museum redevelopment programme. Much of the museum building work is done and the log boat will be able to go safely into its new home. It is a real pleasure to help with the care of this ancient artefact."

Plans to preserve the boat were launched 10 years ago with the aid of financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund .

The Poole log boat is one of the largest surviving prehistoric artefacts of its kind in the UK, dating back to around 300BC. It is believed to be related to two nationally important Iron Age jetties and continental trade which took place on Green Island in Poole Harbour.

As part of the conservation project, the boat was first soaked in a sugar solution before being moved to Scaplens Court Museum, where it completed a six-month drying process.

The final cleaning of the log boat is taking place during February 2007. A team of volunteers, including Cllr Atkinson, will clean the log boat, gently removing the last residues of the sugar solution from its delicate timbers before a new glass case is constructed around it.

The conservation project has been overseen by York Archaeological Trust , which specialises in the care of water-logged historic timbers.

Lisa Gaskell, Communications, Borough of Poole, Tel: 01202 633060