Radiocarbon Ages and Calibrated Dates for the Boats from North Ferriby, Humberside—A Reappraisal

Abstract

The techniques used for new determinations of the radiocarbon ages of the fragments of boats discovered at North Ferriby are described, together with a demonstration of the application to the results of a computer-based calibration procedure. An interpretation is suggested of the possible calibrated date-ranges thus generated. Archaeological implications of these are considered both in connection with the dates for other British craft that have been excavated in the vicinity of the Humber and in a wider context of European boats bearing related constructional features. The discussion includes the centuries-long persistence in different regions of specialized boat-building traditions.