7th April 2019
You may remember our Archaeological Dig in 2015, click here.
Doubtless lots of you will remember the fabulous Last Cuckoo dig in 2017, click here.
On the last day of the latter dig, we discovered the end of a third boat, but never had time to investigate further.
Our Work Party has been working in the area and stumbled across the boat again, so Elmet Archaeology and a team of diggers turned up at short notice to mount a proper weekend investigation.
The boat at the top of the photo is the third boat as seen in 2017.
Saturday morning and a few people had gathered.
Soon the end previously uncovered was revealed again.
This was the signal for the small army of diggers to move in.
Gradually more and more of the boat was uncovered.
After the wood had been scraped clean with trowels, it was sprayed with water to remove the last of the soil.
Dave kept digging backwards …..
…. until finally the other end was reached.
On Sunday morning, one side of the entrance to the gas works arm was uncovered again.
This time they dug further to reveal the full extent of the curve.
This went at both sides of the narrows.
There were lots of fascinating finds.
Including some interesting bottles!
After it was completely cleared, the boat was marked out for measuring and recording.
It was another work boat.
The front end was in much better condition than the aft end.
The drone photos above and below are courtesy of Richard Knisely-Marpole.
A thoroughly worthwhile weekend …..
….. but it ended with the whole boat being buried again.