PRESERVED IN the mudflats of the Tay for 3000 years, a remarkable archaeological discovery is slowly being reclaimed from its watery grave.

In a meticulous operation, archaeologists are making good progress in the first stage of preserving the Bronze Age log boat for future generations.

This week, when tidal conditions have allowed, the project team has been uncovering the 30ft vessel from the south bank of the estuary, near Abernethy.

With sandbags holding back the encroaching tides, the archaeologists have marvelled at the state of preservation of the boat and the level of skill of the men who made it.

“It has been amazing seeing this link with the ancient past coming to light,” said one person who witnessed the ongoing operation.

Initially discovered in 2000, the vessel was found to have been carved from a single piece of oak.

A radiocarbon date taken from the timber indicated a date of around 1000 BC, the late Bronze Age, making the boat among the oldest ever found in Scotland.

It is most likely that the boat was used for fishing and wild fowling, although it could also have been used for transporting people and goods.

Since the discovery of the partially exposed vessel at Abernethy, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust have kept a close eye on the find.

They noticed that the vessel, which is revealed only by the lowest tides, was being eroded by tidal action and fluctuations in conditions.

The vessel was sand-bagged for protection while a strategy could be devised for its long-term preservation.

Now the trust, in partnership with Historic Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, Perth Museum and Art Gallery and CFA Archaeology Ltd are excavating the log boat, using a specially constructed floating cradle.

While the excavation work takes place during the short low-tide windows, the lifting of the vessel on the floating cradle will take place at high tide.

The boat will then be transported to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh where it will be conserved, over a three-year period, to make it stable enough for it to be put on display.