Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 November 2010
01:0879210#1
Passing through the subway to the seafront, I've been wondering why Dover's port history begins in the first century with a Roman ship, with no reference to our Bronze Age vessel in Dover Museum.
It dates back to 1550 years BC, long before Rome was founded, was registered at Dover Port, and is known to have travelled as far as Cornwall. Cross-Channel trips were also effected by Bronze Age vessels, one of which lost its cargo just in front of Dover, as Dover Museum testifies to with a rich variety of worn-out tools from Gaul that were meant for recycling in a Dover furnace.
Considering that Dover is Britain's oldest sea-port, one might expect to see a mosaic dedicated to one of our ancient ocean-goers!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
9 November 2010
09:2079219#2
Excellent idea Alexander. All you have to do now is find a suitable place, get planning permission, commission a design, organise a workforce (we can use the government's welfare-to-work people), obtain the materials and get to work.
Oh, and find someone to pay for it all!
Yes you are right, I suppose the design for the subway was done before the bronze age boat was found, and nobody had the bright idea to incorporate it into the mosaics.
PG.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 November 2010
11:5379244#3
Will be done, Peter!
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
9 November 2010
11:5479245#4
The Bronze Age Boat was found during the excavation of the very subway Alexander wants to redecorate; when it was discovered the illustrative designs had already been completed. I know there was some talk, a long time ago, of adding the BAB but it came to nothing - it may have been just a rumour.
It's not a great loss - the real thing is just around the corner and is set in a stunning display. If anyone reading this hasn't seen it, go and do it now!
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 November 2010
11:5679246#5
The idea extant in the mosaics is to make believe that the Romans founded Dover. They didn't! Busy Dovorians were see-faring people long before Rome had even a hut to boast of!
9 November 2010
17:1779297#6
I don't think anyone thinks that the romans founded Dover seeing as how there is an enormous iron age mound up at the Castle!! Romans took over previously established tounships, in a way only, in that Britons themselves became romanised; except where a vicus grew up around a fort and thus established a new town. I do not know whether the mansio (York Street) proves the existence of a vicus, but even if there is one, we celts were here first!
However, the Port of Dover itself has been established on land that was under the sea in roman or prehistoric times, so any history of the Port of Dover itself cannot claim the bronze age. That part of our history pertains to the town.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 November 2010
17:2679304#7
The Port of Dover is part of the Town, Diana, and DHB is a Trsut Board not a private company!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
9 November 2010
19:5279349#8
The port as it is is a late 19th/early 20th century construction. Anything Roman and earlier is under the Market Square !!
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
9 November 2010
19:5579350#9
I am a Saxon.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 November 2010
20:1479353#10
Dover has been a Port Town long before Rome ever had a mud-hut, and our sea-faring history is ignored in the Dover mosaics, that is my message!
I believe the Athenian marbels should be returned to Athens, and we should dedicate to the Dover Mosaics a place for our sea-faring history prior to the Roman gally.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
9 November 2010
21:1879373#11
I am sure DDC will welcome your donation to pay for the work to be done... nothing from my council tax please
Been nice knowing you :)
