Hanson Log Boat

The Hanson Log Boat is a Bronze Age vessel hollowed from a single oak trunk, now displayed at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery. The object shows the ancient techniques for shaping wood to make it seaworthy.

The boat dates from around 1500 BCE and was found in 1998 at a gravel pit near Shardlow, where it had rested for nearly 3500 years. Specialists at York Archaeological Trust handled its preservation.

The boat takes its name from where it was found and shows how Bronze Age people used rivers as transport routes. Visitors can see how ordinary such wooden vessels were for moving goods.

The vessel is displayed in sections, allowing visitors to examine the construction and materials closely. The presentation provides insight into ancient craftsmanship without requiring specialized knowledge.

The vessel was discovered carrying a cargo of Bromsgrove sandstone intended for building a weir on the River Trent. This cargo reveals that Bronze Age people moved heavy materials for major construction projects over long distances by water.

Location: Derby

Made from material: wood

GPS coordinates: 52.86000,-1.37000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00