Duvensee paddle, Archaeological find at Archaeological Museum Hamburg, Germany
The Duvensee paddle is a stone age wooden artifact now housed in the Archaeological Museum Hamburg. It was crafted from pine wood and measures approximately 52 centimeters in length.
The paddle was discovered in 1926 during excavation near Klinkrade in Schleswig-Holstein. It ranks among the oldest water transport tools found in Europe and demonstrates early boat use by hunter-gatherer communities.
The paddle reveals how people thousands of years ago already used waterways and boats to hunt and travel. It speaks to their skill in working with wood and their connection to lakes and rivers.
The paddle is on display in the permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum Hamburg. Weekdays offer a less crowded experience for examining the object closely.
Scientists were able to determine the paddle's age with great precision through radiocarbon testing. Its exceptional preservation is thanks to the oxygen-poor environment of the ancient lake sediments.
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