Pesse canoe
The Pesse canoe is considered the world's oldest known boat, dating back to the early Mesolithic period. It was discovered in 1955 during the construction of a highway near the village of Pesse in the Netherlands. The canoe is a dugout, made from a single log of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
Discovery and Dating[edit | edit source]
The Pesse canoe was unearthed by a local farmer, Hendrik Wanders, while he was working on the construction of the A28 motorway. The canoe was found in a peat bog, which contributed to its remarkable preservation. Radiocarbon dating of the wood has placed the canoe's construction between 8040 BCE and 7510 BCE, making it approximately 10,000 years old.
Description[edit | edit source]
The canoe measures about 298 centimeters in length and 44 centimeters in width. It is a simple dugout canoe, which means it was made by hollowing out a tree trunk. The choice of Scots pine is significant, as it was a common tree in the region during the Mesolithic period. The canoe's design is rudimentary, reflecting the technological capabilities of the time.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The Pesse canoe provides valuable insights into early human technology and transportation. Its discovery has helped archaeologists understand the development of watercraft and the role of waterways in prehistoric human societies. The canoe suggests that Mesolithic people in the region were capable of constructing watercraft for fishing, transportation, or possibly even trade.
Controversy[edit | edit source]
There has been some debate among archaeologists regarding whether the Pesse canoe was indeed used as a boat. Some have suggested that its small size and shape might indicate it was used for another purpose, such as a trough. However, experiments with replicas have demonstrated that the canoe could indeed float and support a person, lending credence to the theory that it was used as a watercraft.
Preservation[edit | edit source]
After its discovery, the Pesse canoe was carefully preserved and is now housed in the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands. The preservation of the canoe was facilitated by the anaerobic conditions of the peat bog, which prevented the wood from decaying.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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