Topic: History

Archaeologists have found a partial human fingerprint on an ancient wooden plank vessel from Denmark. The boat is over 2,400 years old and was used by warriors who attacked the island of Als.

The Hjortspring boat has been a mystery for over a century. It's a wooden plank vessel displayed at the National Museum of Denmark. Researchers have finally found clues about where it came from. They published their findings in the journal PLOS One.

The team examined materials recovered with the vessel, including cordage and waterproofing caulk. They used radiocarbon dating to determine age and applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the caulking's chemical makeup.

Their analysis showed that the waterproofing material was made from animal fat mixed with pine pitch. This suggests the boat may have been constructed in a region with more abundant pine forests, like the Baltic Sea coast east of Denmark.

The team also found that the boat was built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE. This timeframe aligns with earlier dating of wooden remains from the Hjortspring site.

One of the most striking discoveries was a partial human fingerprint preserved in the caulking. It may have been pressed into the tar during a repair by a crew member.

The authors note that this is an unusual find for this time period. Finding a fingerprint on the tar fragments from the boat was a big surprise for them.

This discovery brings us closer to solving the 100-year-old mystery of the ancient boat's origins.

Why It Matters

This discovery shows how science can help solve long-standing mysteries in history. It also highlights the importance of preserving and studying ancient artifacts, which can provide valuable insights into our past.

Key Facts

• The Hjortspring boat is over 2,400 years old and was used by warriors who attacked the island of Als.
• The boat's waterproofing material was made from animal fat mixed with pine pitch.
• The team found a partial human fingerprint preserved in the caulking.
• The boat was built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE.

Key Terms

Radiocarbon dating

A method used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon-14 remaining.

Implications

This discovery shows how science can help solve long-standing mysteries in history. It also highlights the importance of preserving and studying ancient artifacts, which can provide valuable insights into our past.