Watercraft display in Portsmouth museum
Visitors to the City Museum were treated to a Saxon spectacle.
About 300 people went to see the display of the Solent's oldest watercraft, on Saturday, in Museum Road, Portsmouth.
The watercraft had been discovered in Langstone Harbour in 2003.
The remains of the 1,500-year-old oak Saxon logboat have been transferred to the museum following conservation lasting seven years. It is expected to be included in permanent display in 2011.
The craft and other finds from Langstone Harbour were displayed alongside Saxon artefacts from Portsdown Hill and Horndean.
Two volunteers from Saxon re-enactment group Weorod came in costume and were also on hand to offer advice and information about the items. They gave visitors a taste of life as a Saxon with replica weapons and a loom.
Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology members joined the day with their activity filled Maritime Bus.
Curator of local history at the museum, Katy Ball, said: 'A lot of people came and really enjoyed the day. We had talks about the boat and the excavation and the event was filmed by the BBC. It came together really well.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
