We were really impressed by the museum. The exhibits were interesting, very
well displayed and had excellent information boards. The star attraction was
the Bronze Age boat that was in amazing state of preservation given that it
dated from 2550BC. It is 9.5 metres long by 2.4 metres wide and its
construction is still very clear - even the yew withies tying the oak planks
together. A video show a half-size replica that had been built and rowed in the
English Channel. The Mary Rose Trust had helped to preserve the waterlogged
remains that were discovered in 1992 during roadworks close to the Dover
seafront.
Amongst other interesting exhibits was a section devoted to finds of a number
of local, responsible metal Dover Museum but, as we approached the building, we
saw an intriguing (modern art?) installation. It consisted of a series of large
metal arches expelling a mist. The water spray was so fine that it hardly felt
wet when we walked under the arches. I can imagine that it would have been very
pleasant to stand underneath them during the extremely hot weather that we
experienced a few weeks ago. I really liked detectorist clubs together with a
very amusing, tongue-in-cheek showing the involvement of the club members in a
local Time Team dig; The Maison Dieu interior being prepared for a function.
Before catching the bus back to the site, we decided to drop in to the Maison
Dieu. This is the Town Hall and has recently been beautifully restored. The
main hall (see photo below) had been painted over in beige pain and they only
discovered its magnificent decoration during the renovation.
Photos: The misty (mystic?) installation; The Bronze Age
boat; Detail showing the yew ties; Part of a replica; The metal detectorist
clubs’ model; One of the Maison Dieu halls.
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