Sutton Hoo Burial Boat contains Syrian bitumen...

[Imperial Dave]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-38171657

Am sure there is more detail somewhere else but a good starter for 10 and quite the revelation

[aligern]

Heart of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men!
Roy

[Imperial Dave]

a very fitting reply Roy!

[Sharur]

The link to the original PLOS One article in the BBC News piece certainly provides a lot more detail, Holly. In case you missed it, it's here, available as a free download PDF.

[Imperial Dave]

another good find and a very very solid scientific paper to boot