The Dover Bronze-Age Boat Part 1

The Dover Bronze-Age Boat

By Phan Ngoc

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​preserve (v) /prɪˈzɜːv/ to keep something in its original state in good condition.

well preserved (a) /ˌwel prɪˈzɜːvd/ not showing many signs of age; kept in good condition

​A beautifully preserved boat

​conserved (a) kept and protected from waste, loss, or damage
well-maintained (a) to keep a building, machine, road, etc. in good condition by checking it regularly and repairing it if necessary

​A beautifully preserved boat

#dilapidated (a) /dɪˈlæpɪdeɪtɪd/ (of furniture and buildings) old and in very bad condition.

The old house was in a somewhat dilapidated condition.

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​preservation (n) /ˌprezəˈveɪʃn/ the act of keeping something in its original state or in good condition.
+ building/environmental/food preservation
+ a preservation group/society

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​by chance (collocation) it happens without being planned or intended, or without any known cause

1 I met her by chance at the airport.
2 By chance, she happened to be (do or by by chance) studying in the city at the same time as me.

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​muddy (a) /ˈmʌd.i/ cover by or containing mud (wet, sticky earth)

1 Don't bring those muddy boots inside!

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​profound (a) /prəˈfaʊnd/ felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way

1 His mother's death when he was aged six had a very profound effect on him.
2. Those two lines of poetry express perfectly the profound sadness of loss

​A beautifully preserved boat, made around 3,000 years ago and discovered by chance in a muddy hole, has a profound impact on archaeological research.

​archaeological (a) /ˌɑːkiəˈlɒdʒɪkl/ connected with the study of cultures of the past and of periods of history by examining the parts of buildings and objects found in the ground.
+ archaeological excavations/evidence

​It was 1992. In England, workmen were building a new road through the heart of Dover, to connect the ancient port and the Channel Tunnel, which, when it opened just two years later, was to be the first land link between Britain and Europe for over 10,000 years.

​workman (n) /ˈwɜːk.mən/ a man who uses physical skill and especially his hands in his job or trade.
workmen (n) (plural noun)

​It was 1992. In England, workmen were building a new road through the heart of Dover, to connect the ancient port and the Channel Tunnel, which, when it opened just two years later, was to be the first land link between Britain and Europe for over 10,000 years.

​the heart of (n) /hɑːt/ the central or most important part

The demonstrators will march through the heart of the capital.

​It was 1992. In England, workmen were building a new road through the heart of Dover, to connect the ancient port and the Channel Tunnel, which, when it opened just two years later, was to be the first land link between Britain and Europe for over 10,000 years.

ancient (a) /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/ of or from a very long time ago.

ancient civilizations/rights/laws

ancient monuments/ruins/woodlands

​It was 1992. In England, workmen were building a new road through the heart of Dover, to connect the ancient port and the Channel Tunnel, which, when it opened just two years later, was to be the first land link between Britain and Europe for over 10,000 years.

port (n) /pɔːt/ A town or city with a harbour where ships load or unload.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the village was a bustling river port.

​It was 1992. In England, workmen were building a new road through the heart of Dover, to connect the ancient port and the Channel Tunnel, which, when it opened just two years later, was to be the first land link between Britain and Europe for over 10,000 years.

the Channel Tunnel (n) /ˌtʃæn.əl ˈtʌn.əl/ A rail tunnel beneath the English Channel that connects England and France

It takes only 35 minutes to travel between England and France via /ˈvaɪə/ the Channel Tunnel.

​A small team from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) worked alongside the workmen, recording new discoveries brought to light by the machines.

alongside (adv) /əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd/ next to or at the side of somebody/something

Nick caught up with me and rode alongside.

​A small team from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) worked alongside the workmen, recording new discoveries brought to light by the machines.

bring something into light (idiom) ​to make new information known to people

These facts have only just been brought to light.