NEWYou can now listen to articles!
A dog walker recently stumbled upon an ancient axe head during a routine walk in a forest — an item that’s believed to date back three millennia.
The axe was found by a dog walker named John in the Forest of Dean, a historic woodland in western Gloucestershire, England, near the border with Wales.
The area is known for its ancient trees and dense canopy, and the man spotted the axe “nestled among the roots of a fallen tree in woodland near Brierley,” officials said.
WORKERS STUMBLE UPON HISTORIC BURIAL SITE AND ‘INCREDIBLY RARE’ FIND DURING SEWER PROJECT
The discovery was announced in a recent press release from Forestry England, a government agency that manages publicly owned English forests.
“The find was quickly reported to Forestry England, who manage the woodland,” the release said.
A dog walker named John, seen at left, discovered a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age axe head during a routine walk in England’s Forest of Dean. (Forestry England)
“The object was handed over for recording and investigation.”
The axe dates to the Middle Bronze Age, which lasted from roughly 1500 to 1200 B.C. in Britain.
OLDEST HANDHELD WOODEN TOOLS EVER? ANCIENT ARTIFACTS PRESERVED IN MUD MYSTIFY ARCHAEOLOGISTS
It’s likely at least 3,000 years old.
Kayleigh Spring, an objects conservator at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Center, identified the tool as a palstave axe.
The ancient tool was identified as a palstave axe, a design commonly used during the Middle Bronze Age period. (Forestry England)
Palstave axes were designed with a side loop to be securely attached to a wooden handle.
“It is made from a copper alloy most likely bronze, a mix of copper and tin,” Spring said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“This tool was originally cast in molds.”
The axe reflects more advanced Bronze Age craftsmanship, and Spring noted that early Bronze Age molds “were simple hollowed stones.”
“Finds like this, though rare, do happen.”
“By the Middle Bronze Age, two-part molds allowed for more sophisticated designs like this one,” she said.
“After confirming it tested negative for chloride ions, we carefully removed soil and corrosion under magnification and applied Incralac to protect the pitted blade and minimize future corrosion while on display.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
After analysis, the axe was sent to the Dean Heritage Center, a museum in Soudley, Gloucestershire.
Leoni Dawson, a community ranger for Forestry England, said that the find “help[s] us connect with the people who lived and worked in these landscapes long before us.”
After being reported, the axe was carefully analyzed and conserved before being placed in a local museum. (Forestry England)
“It’s incredible to think that tools like this have survived for thousands of years, hidden beneath our feet,” said Dawson.
A spokesperson for Forestry England told Digital that the find, while spectacular, is not unheard of.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“The Forest of Dean is one of England’s largest ancient forests, shaped by centuries of history, industry and natural beauty,” the official said.
“Finds like this, though rare, do happen.”
The artifact was discovered in the Forest of Dean, an area known for its deep history and ancient landscapes. (Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time in recent months that dog walkers have stumbled across history in the United Kingdom.
In Scotland, two dog walkers recently found “distinct markings” on a beach in Angus that turned out to be 2,000-year-footprints.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
The footprints were later washed away, though archaeologists successfully made 3D models and physical casts before they were destroyed.
