Cleaning the timbers

The first task for the ship team was the cleaning of all 1700 timbers. After being buried in the ground for hundreds of years they were covered with tar, clay, animal and plant remains and contained corroded nails.

Cleaning the timbers was a very messy job and one that had to be carried out carefully so as not to damage the wood. The team and volunteers used brushes, water and even toothbrushes and other dental tools to remove all of the debris so that the timbers could be recorded.

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