Stem post roughout

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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.

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-937-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IN 5
• Date: Between 885 and 1035
  
• Material: Wood
  Stem post, boat
  
• Dimensions: 340 mm H x 110 mm L x 1870 mm W
  
• What: Stem post, boat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Eigg, Laig
  
• Event:
• Description: Wooden roughed-out stem post for a clinker-built boat of Viking type, from Eigg
  
• References:
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