THE results of an archaeological dig to determine whether a Viking boat's remains lie beneath a Wirral pub car park won't be known until later this year.

It has long been believed that a Nordic boat is buried beneath the site at the Railway Inn in Meols after remains were allegedly unearthed by workmen digging the foundations of the pub back in 1938.

The story goes that the workmen were told to cover up their discovery and rebury their find but one of them drew a map of the boat's whereabouts which survives to this day.

A professional archaeological investigation which aims to reveal whether the remains are still intact began took place last month.

Wirral Globe: The team from Wirral Archaeology CIC ready with samples recovered from under The Railway pub in MeolsThe team from Wirral Archaeology CIC ready with samples recovered from under The Railway pub in Meols (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

The dig was being carried out by a team from Wirral Archaeology CIC working in partnership with the pub owners, Greene King, under the supervision of professional archaeologist, Charles Jones, who has spent many years researching the site of the Battle of Fulford, which took place in 1066, and scientist Professor Stephen Harding of Nottingham University. 

Exactly what type of vessel lies beneath the pub won't be known until test results are released around June.

Chas Jones, the Project Archaeologist said: "I thank everyone that helped for your time, energy and ideas which allowed us to find our boat.

"As a result of the building work in 1938 and the disruption to the preservative (waterlogged blue clay) layer it is now clear that only the fibres had survived in the wood. Because of its fragile nature I have ordered a spray system to slowly flush the silt that is holding the wood in place.

"I am quietly confident that this careful work will reveal the shape and a good estimate of the size of our boat."

Prof Harding added: "Once Chas has done this the wood fibre will then be scientifically tested at Nottingham, Oslo and Trondheim (carbon dating, wood species identification, possible origin and state of degradation) - we hope to have this done by June. Once we have achieved this, a reconstruction may eventually also be possible”.

Wirral Globe: Professor Stephen Harding at The Railway pub, near the spot under which the vessel is believed to lie Professor Stephen Harding at The Railway pub, near the spot under which the vessel is believed to lie (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

"The position and depth suggest it is very old, and it may even date from the Viking Age, when Meols was a vibrant seaport and Wirral hosted a large Scandinavian community.

"Any remains, and surrounding soil will undergo a range of scientific analyses including Carbon14 dating, dendrochronology and wood assessment (state of preservation and possible origins).

"These tests will provide us with a context and valuable information about the age and possible origin of the boat."

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Archaeology Community Interest Company's chair, Dominga Devitt, said recently: "There has been intense local interest in this buried object for many years.

"It has been thought that the boat dates from the Viking era but no professional investigation has ever been carried out to establish the truth, so everyone is really delighted at the prospect of what we might discover."

Lisa Jones, general manager at The Railway, said: "Like everyone around here, we all want to identify just what is there and if it really does date back to Viking times."

Get the pick of the Wirral headlines sent straight to your inbox – click here to sign up