Hanson Log Boat

The Hanson Log Boat is a Bronze Age dugout boat found in a gravel pit near Shardlow, just south of Derby. It was discovered in 1998 during quarrying operations when machinery slightly damaged the almost complete vessel before its archaeological importance was recognised. The boat, made from a single oak trunk, dates to around 1500 BC, making it roughly the same age as the Dover Bronze Age Boat. It still contained a cargo of Bromsgrove sandstone, likely intended for a causeway across the River Trent. The boat’s waterlogged condition had preserved the wood, but its weight required it to be cut into sections for transport and conservation. After 18 months immersed in polyethylene glycol at the York Archaeological Trust, the wood was slowly dried and strengthened. The conservation cost £119,000, and the restored boat now sits on display at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. The museum’s collection also includes Bronze Age metal finds from Shardlow, such as axes and broken rapiers, often linked to religious offerings thrown into the water. A second log boat, found later at the same quarry, was reburied to preserve it. The display offers a rare glimpse into Bronze Age life and craftsmanship in the region.