Logboats on the Nemunas and Connecting Waterways
Logboats on the Nemunas and Connecting Waterways

Summary/Abstract: The logboat is by many considered to be the earliest ancestor of all modern boats. It has a documented consecutive history in Europe of over 8000 years, and watercraft of more or less similar design remain in use to this day. Logboats are not commonly used in Europe these days, but Lithuania happens to be among the few countries where they still can be found in active use. This can ironically be of negative influence when it comes to protecting and preserving the oldest logboats for the future. Archaeological discoveries of logboats are usually made by the general public, and in order for them to report such a find they must first recognize it as being of potential archaeological or historical value. That may not always be obvious to the person who makes the discovery, regarding the fact that such vessels still an be found in use, and also when taken into consideration the somewhat limited maritime traditions in Lithuania. In other countries where the maritime traditions are stronger we see that not only is there a considerably stronger interest in watercraft, but the number of preserved archaeological finds of logboats are also more numerous. This article gives a general introduction to logboats in general, how they can be constructed and operated, and presents logboat research from other European countries. It further compares Lithuanian logboat finds to those in some other European countries, and analyses the future potential for such archaeological finds in Lithuania. Given the long history of human activity in Lithuania and the favourable conditions for the preservation of logboats in this area, that potential should be significant. And if experiences from other European countries are anything to go by, such future potential logboat discoveries might hold considerable potential in terms of symbolism and identity. Luotas yra visų šiuolaikinių laivų pirmtakas.

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