BOXFORD TIMBER IS OLDEST DECORATIVELY CARVED WOOD FOUND IN BRITAIN

[ A LARGE PIECE OF WOOD discovered by chance during the construction of a workshop in Boxford, Berkshire, lying in peat in excellent condition, has been identified by Historic England as being more than 6,000 years old – making it the oldest decoratively carved wood in Britain. It was carved 2,000 years before Stonehenge was built and 4,500 years before the Romans came to Britain.

Experts from Historic England, working with scientists from Nottingham Tree-ring Dating Laboratory and The Centre for Isotope Research at the University of Groningen, carried out radiocarbon dating of a timber slice from the wood. The data shows there is a 95% probability that the piece of wood dates from around 4,640 to 4,605 BC.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “It’s remarkable that, by doing routine building work, a piece of modestlooking decorative wood turns out to be the oldest ever found in Britain. This exciting find has helped to shine new light on our distant past and we’re grateful to the landowner for recognising its significance. Amazing