Oh my goodness, this is a rare and marvellous find. It's so amazing to see such an intact ancient implement made of wood. It's very exciting. Well done to everybody involved in the dig.
@@Voting-does-nothing This project is being delivered by Kier, Natural England, RSPB England and the Environment Agency. They are in the process of adapting over 150 hectares of land into a diverse wetlands for wildlife, due to the loss of valuable intertidal habitat, such as mudflats, which have been lost as a result of 'coastal squeeze'. 🌿
It's more likely a baking "peel" because the wood species and grain configuration make it too weak for heavy shoveling. The wings would split off very easily if they were torqued by digging in soil.
It's good to see that they are all wearing level three safety gear and hardhats for such dangerous conditions digging by hand out in the middle of nowhere. 😂
"thank you for building on absolutely everything " ..... Get a grip... Endless growth is a scam .,.... Benefits nobody but the super rich. End pointless growth now
@@Voting-does-nothing This work was part of a project called The Moors at Arne which is adapting over 150 hectares of land into a diverse wetlands habitat for wildlife. 🌿 This type of habitat is being lost in other areas of Poole Harbour due to 'coastal squeeze'. It is being delivered by Kier, Natural England, RSPB England and the Environment Agency.
Great question! We’ll be looking at the spade in great detail during post-ex analysis with our specialists but the shape of the blade seems to indicate a spade. It is tapered towards the end, suggesting a ‘cutting’ edge. It dates from the Middle Bronze Age. During this period, this particular area was prone to flooding and it's likely people visited on a seasonal basis. You can read everything we know so far on our website: www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/archaeologists-uncover-one-oldest-and-most-complete-wooden-tools-ever-found-britain
@@archaeologists Although it is shaped like a spade, the `shaft` is so thin that it would be useless for digging in those heavy conditions. Also without a cross member on the `blade` the longitudinal grain would immediately split when any weight was put on it. As it was in wetlands, could it have been used either for moving water along a channel rather like a squeegee or alternatively as a sort of sluice gate ?
@@Rob-e8w I like your thinking. It seemed so small that shifting of soil or dung would have been a challenge. If it was boggy, guiding water would have made sense.
@@skepticalbadger Giving something a name doesn't identify its use pattern. Something you call a spade could be used for different things in different countries and at different times of year. Open your mind to the possibilities around you.
Good question! We’ll be looking at the spade in great detail during post-ex analysis with our specialists but the shape of the blade seems to indicate a spade. It is tapered towards the end, suggesting a ‘cutting’ edge. We’ll also be exploring if the handle was deliberately offset. If so, it could indicate that only one side was used for a foot to push the blade into the earth. It would also bear similarities to some medieval wooden spades. We’re excited to see what insights further research can bring! ☺
Oak is v heavy for a paddle, ash splits as easily as oak with a good straight plane & is much lighter to swing around. Oak from heart wood is much more resilient. Lovely piece. Also a spade is much easier to make one sided if that was the original shape.
👉Find out more about the discovery here: www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/archaeologists-uncover-one-oldest-and-most-complete-wooden-tools-ever-found-britain
Oh my goodness, this is a rare and marvellous find. It's so amazing to see such an intact ancient implement made of wood. It's very exciting.
Well done to everybody involved in the dig.
Endless growth is a scam .,....
Benefits nobody but the super rich.
End pointless growth now
@@Voting-does-nothing This project is being delivered by Kier, Natural England, RSPB England and the Environment Agency. They are in the process of adapting over 150 hectares of land into a diverse wetlands for wildlife, due to the loss of valuable intertidal habitat, such as mudflats, which have been lost as a result of 'coastal squeeze'. 🌿
@@archaeologists yeah sure thing mate 🤣
Definitely not just a scam to get more people to live off less resources.....
What a great find!!!!
It's more likely a baking "peel" because the wood species and grain configuration make it too weak for heavy shoveling. The wings would split off very easily if they were torqued by digging in soil.
It's good to see that they are all wearing level three safety gear and hardhats for such dangerous conditions digging by hand out in the middle of nowhere. 😂
Amazing!!
It's a bit small for a digging spade and looks more like a bread oven padel. Nice find.
A peel?
Maybe a pizza spatula
That's so cool! How rare and precious.
Thank you.
"thank you for building on absolutely everything "
.....
Get a grip...
Endless growth is a scam .,....
Benefits nobody but the super rich.
End pointless growth now
@@Voting-does-nothing This work was part of a project called The Moors at Arne which is adapting over 150 hectares of land into a diverse wetlands habitat for wildlife. 🌿 This type of habitat is being lost in other areas of Poole Harbour due to 'coastal squeeze'. It is being delivered by Kier, Natural England, RSPB England and the Environment Agency.
@@archaeologists yeah man turn food production land that was being used for food production into wet lands ....
We don't need foooood do we .....
🤣👍🤡
Did you let Phil Harding know that's where he left it?
Funny!
Very nice!
Endless growth is a scam .,....
Benefits nobody but the super rich.
End pointless growth now
My gosh, this is an underrated comment!
😂😂😂😂😂
A wooden tool …that would be kier starmier
✔🤣
They've been calling a spade a spade forever in Britain I guess. 1,200 years of wood wouldn't be expected until spaded up.
No guess as to its use given timeline and location? Was the area bog at the time of use?
They say it's a spade in the video. Also, it's clearly a spade.
Great question! We’ll be looking at the spade in great detail during post-ex analysis with our specialists but the shape of the blade seems to indicate a spade. It is tapered towards the end, suggesting a ‘cutting’ edge. It dates from the Middle Bronze Age. During this period, this particular area was prone to flooding and it's likely people visited on a seasonal basis. You can read everything we know so far on our website: www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/archaeologists-uncover-one-oldest-and-most-complete-wooden-tools-ever-found-britain
@@archaeologists Although it is shaped like a spade, the `shaft` is so thin that it would be useless for digging in those heavy conditions. Also without a cross member on the `blade` the longitudinal grain would immediately split when any weight was put on it. As it was in wetlands, could it have been used either for moving water along a channel rather like a squeegee or alternatively as a sort of sluice gate ?
@@Rob-e8w I like your thinking. It seemed so small that shifting of soil or dung would have been a challenge. If it was boggy, guiding water would have made sense.
@@skepticalbadger Giving something a name doesn't identify its use pattern. Something you call a spade could be used for different things in different countries and at different times of year. Open your mind to the possibilities around you.
Why the hard hats though?
Definitely a spade and not a paddle?
Good question! We’ll be looking at the spade in great detail during post-ex analysis with our specialists but the shape of the blade seems to indicate a spade. It is tapered towards the end, suggesting a ‘cutting’ edge.
We’ll also be exploring if the handle was deliberately offset. If so, it could indicate that only one side was used for a foot to push the blade into the earth. It would also bear similarities to some medieval wooden spades. We’re excited to see what insights further research can bring! ☺
Oak is v heavy for a paddle, ash splits as easily as oak with a good straight plane & is much lighter to swing around. Oak from heart wood is much more resilient. Lovely piece. Also a spade is much easier to make one sided if that was the original shape.
@@archaeologistsPeat turf cutting?
Was it stolen from any other country like all our descent artefacts 🫣😆😆
Health and safety gone freaking MAD