16th International Symposium on Boat & Ship Archaeology

85 Zadar, Croatia | 26 September – 1 October 2021 Timm Weski independent researcher / retired A Bronze Age Logboat from the Starnberger See near the Roseninsel, Bavaria, Germany In 1986 a logboat of 13.34 m length was discovered near the Roseninsel in the Starnberger See. After its documentation under water it was handed over to the Archäologische Staatssammlung München in 1989, where it was conserved with PEG. The logboat, dendrodated to 900 BC, had not sunk in upright position, but had listed to starboard. Therefore the portside, the bow and about two-thirds of the upperparts of the starboard side are missing. Though a drawing had been made, it proved to be insufficient. Therefore a 3-D-documentation became neces- sary. With the help of these data it was possible to place the hull into its suggested floating condition. It showed that the balk at the stern was originally above the waterline or just below. On the inside of the block, which forms the “transom”, a step was cut on starboard. Together with the balk the shape of the stern is unique. Unfortunately, the centre of the trunk at the bow could not be identified, therefore the original shape of it could not be reconstructed. But with the help of the 3-D data the reconstruction of original breadth and depth in the aft part of the vessel was possible. Inside the hull there were several toolmarks. Oblong grooves were carved into the inside of the trunk. Further there are particularily in the block at the stern several auger holes whose intention remains open. Another auger hole at the bow indicates, that is was crowned by some kind of decoration. In the starboard side there are several large, oval holes of unknown function. Per- haps they may be regarded as a hint for forward-facing or push rowing, though this technique has not yet been recorded from prehistoric times in Central Eu- rope. Since there were no bulk goods like salt to be transported across the Starn- berger See, it could have been a warrior or ceremonial vessel.