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Image Source: BBC
Archaeologists recently found a wooden spade dating back to the Bronze Age in wetlands on the south coast of England. The spade was discovered in a circular ditch believed to have been made by Bronze Age people who wanted to keep items dry from flooding. “It’s a really unique object, to find something that’s wooden of that age,” said Phil Trim, who led the artifact recovery.
Archeologists had been digging in trenches in the area for several years as part of the Moors at Arne Coastal Change Project to restore coastal wetlands. At one point, they saw a piece of wood that appeared to be a tree root. When they looked closer, they discovered that the root “was actually a tool, almost complete,” environmental archaeologist Ed Treasure said.
The spade, made from a single piece of oak, could be around 3,500 years old. At a typical archeological site, this piece would have deteriorated. However, at the site where the spade was found, it was preserved for over three millennia, which is “very rare,” Treasure stated.
Treasure noted that archeologists did “an amazing job” preserving the wooden spade, which is very fragile. They have taken the spade to a lab for further investigation and analysis.
The Bronze Age lasted from around 3300 to 1200 BCE, following the Stone Age and preceding the Iron Age. During this period, humans primarily used bronze to construct spades and other tools and weapons.
The WorthPoint Price Guide contains over 6,000 Bronze Age artifacts. Take a look.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
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