Paddling into the Past

Paddling into the Past examines English rivers and their archaeology – and their exploration by kayak, taking the investigator to places inaccessible to powered craft. Long-lost medieval bridges and fish-weirs, medieval and Victorian wharfs, silted-up prehistoric river channels and their exploitation by Roman industry – all have left remains, many of which have never previously been recorded, not just in the countryside but in historic towns and cities too.

This is also the personal story of Nigel Baker, a professional archaeologist who, having lived close to the River Severn for many years, started kayaking as a recreational pursuit but immediately began encountering previously unknown archaeology. He charts the joys and perils of the solo waterborne explorer, including interactions with otters, paddling on floodwaters, being hunted by a helicopter and an encounter with a trigger-happy landowner. The story concludes deep below Bristol city centre…