In 1975, an early Bronze Age cemetery was exposed during the ploughing of some ancient meadows on the Barns Farm, near Dalgety, Fife. On the shores of the Firth of Forth. Amongst the numerous burial cist discoveries, were three apparent coracle burials, each contained human remains. Archaeological excavation of the graves provided the dimensions to all the boats, but due to the action of the ploughing, any evidence of the upper structures and gunwales, were missing. Neither was there any evidence of any seats. The second grave excavated was the most complete and resembled a Teifi coracle in shape. One of our members, Jeremy, has been working all summer on building a replica ‘Barns Farm’ coracle, based on the archaeological evidence. It is approximately 70 inches long, 36 inches wide and has a maximum height of 18 inches. Watch this space!
Raymond Green
References: Watkins, Trevor, 1980, A prehistoric coracle in Fife , The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 9.4: 277-286.
