The Early Watercraft Association – A global perspective of invention and development was founded in Vrhnika, Slovenia between 19th and 23rd April 2015. At that time early watercraft practitioners and other non-boat and digital practitioners from five countries gathered at the invitation of the organisation’s founding president Miran Erič. These are:
- Miran Erič, Slovenia (Zavod za varstvo kulturne dediščine)
- Ronald Bockius, Germany (Museum für Shiffahrt des Römisch)
- Waldemar Ossowski, Poland (Narodowe Muzeum Morskie w Gdańsku,
- Lars Kröger, Germany (Archäologie des Mittelalters und der Neuzeit, Otto Friedrich Universität Bamberg)
- Dragan Živadinov, Slovenia (Kulturno središče evropskih vesoljskih tehnologij / Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies)
- Niall Gregory, Ireland (Gregory Archaeology & Irish Dugout Boat / Logboat Research)
- Sara Ćorkovic, Slovenia (Student; Oddelek za arheologijo FF, Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenija)
- Matej Školc, Slovenia (Student; Oddelek za arheologijo FF, Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenija)
- Saša Koren’ Slovenia (Student; Oddelek za arheologijo FF, Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenija)
- Michael Klein, Austria (7reasons Medien GmbH)
Since its founding and within a very period of time, the association has expanded its membership globally with a massive engagement with 119 individual Ambassadors and 41 institutional Ambassadors from 55 countries globally – Alaska (USA), Australian Capital Territory (AUT), Bolgarija, Bolivia, Bosna i Hercegovina, Catalunya (Espańa), Canada, Colombia, Česko, Črna Gora, Denmark, Deutschland, Eesti, Egypt, Éire / Ireland, Espańa, France, Han-Guk (Korea ), Hong Kong, China, Hrvatska, Italia, Korea, Latvija, Libnãn, Lietuva, USA, Magyarország, N. Makedonija, Masr (Egypt, New SouthWales (AUT), (Nippon), North Carolina (USA) North Queensland (AUT), Northern Ireland (GB), Norvége, Ontario (CND), Oregon (USA), Österreich, Pilipinas, Polska, Portuguese, Prathet Thai, Russia, Shaan’xi (China), Slovenija, Srbija, Srī Lamkã, Suomi, Switzerland, Ukraina , Texas (USA), United Kingdom, Uruguay, Victoria (AUT), Viêt Nam, Wisconsin (USA).
Early Watercraft are among the oldest and most important inventions in human history. Long before ships, compasses, or engines, people hollowed tree trunks, bundled reeds, stretched animal skins over frames, and lashed together rafts to travel across water. These simple vessels transformed human life.
They allowed people to cross rivers, navigate lakes, explore coastlines, transport goods, fish, trade, migrate, and eventually connect continents. Without them, there would be no maritime empires, no global trade networks, and perhaps no space exploration. Early Watercraft represent the first step in humanity’s long journey of movement, discovery, and communication.
Archaeological discoveries show that dugout boats, also known as logboats were in use at least 10,000 years ago. The famous Pesse canoe from the Netherlands dates to around 8000 BC. Similar early boats have been found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Many were preserved in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Around the world, traditional forms of these vessels are still built and used today, linking past and present through living knowledge.
Yet despite their global importance, prehistoric boats have often been overlooked. They are simple in appearance, made from natural materials, and frequently discovered outside monumental archaeological settings. But their simplicity hides profound ingenuity. Early Watercraft were not minor tools — they were revolutionary technologies that reshaped human possibilities.
The Early Watercraft Association is dedicated to changing that perspective.
We bring together researchers, museums, heritage parks, local communities, experimental archaeologists, craftspeople, and enthusiasts from across the globe. Our mission is to recognise Early Watercraft as a foundational element of world heritage and to foster collaboration across disciplines — archaeology, anthropology, history, environmental sciences, engineering, digital technologies, and the arts.
Our work focuses on:
Documenting and systematising all known types of early vessels — dugout boats / logboats, skin boats, reed boats, rafts, plank boats, and their regional variations.
Building a global, integrated database of discoveries, reconstructions, and traditional practices.
Supporting conservation of original watercraft and encouraging experimental reconstruction.
Promoting education, festivals, research conferences, and public engagement.
Connecting heritage, sustainability, tourism, and community identity.
Early Watercraft are more than archaeological artefacts. They symbolise humanity’s first liberation from the limits of land — the moment when people realised that water could become a pathway rather than a barrier.
From the first hollowed log to the spacecraft that now leave our planet, the story of navigation begins here.
By understanding these ancient vessels, we better understand ourselves — our creativity, adaptability, and enduring desire to explore the unknown.