NMS Archaeology Object 168118: X.IN 5 - Boat / stem post / rough-out


Description

Summary


Wooden roughed-out stem post of oak, for a clinker-built boat of Viking type, from a bog at Laig, Isle of Eigg, 885 - 1035 AD


Accession Number


X.IN 5


Other references

Not recorded1878

Original description

[IN 4 - 5] Two boat timbers found {with a third piece, not preserved}, in a bog at Laig, Isle of Eigg (PSAS XII, 1876-8, 594-5). (4) Wooden stem or stern post for a clinker-built boat carved from one piece of timber, curved in profile, Y-shaped in section with a central slot, the sides stepped and carved to accept six strakes and the keel (cf. one ship from Roskilde and a boat from Gokstad); 6' 4" long and 8.5" max. width. (5) Wooden roughout for a similar stem, only partly blocked out of the solid, the curved profile and three steps have been completed; 6'1" long, 9" max. width, now somewhat warped (original length 6'7"). [MoS description] Working wood. Ready to work. Stem post roughout, Eigg. 885 - 1035 AD. [Scran caption] This roughout for an oak stem post was found with a stem post in peat at Laig on the isle of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. Although it is in the tradition of Viking boatbuilding, we know little about native boatbuilding, and it might be for a native boat. The stem post is roughed out from a single piece of oak. The stepped edge was for fitting side timbers. A small oak tree, perhaps one growing on the nearby mainland, has been used to make this roughout, perhaps in a boat building yard on Eigg. The roughout had probably been soaked deliberately in water to keep it easy to work. Date: Between 885 and 1035. Material: Wood (oak). Dimensions: Length: 1.87 metres.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

None

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

Not recorded

Method (e.g. excavation)

Not recorded

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

Laig, Eigg, Inverness-shire, Scotland, Northern Europe

Acquisition

Acquisition date

1878

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Not recorded

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

Not recorded

Image

Image of Wooden roughed-out stem post of oak, for a clinker-built boat of Viking type, from a bog at Laig, Isle of Eigg, 885 - 1035 AD © National Museums Scotland
Image of Wooden roughed-out stem post of oak, for a clinker-built boat of Viking type, from a bog at Laig, Isle of Eigg, 885 - 1035 AD © National Museums Scotland

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