Archaeologists in Dorset, England, have unearthed one of Britain’s oldest wooden tools—a spade carved nearly 3,500 years ago during the Middle Bronze Age. Found in the marshy landscape near Poole Harbour, this remarkable artifact sheds new light on the lives of ancient communities who adapted ingeniously to the wetland environment.
This extraordinary find was preserved within the wet and waterlogged Arne Moors, a region that alternates between winter floods and summer dryness. Such conditions allowed the wooden spade to endure thousands of years in pristine condition, offering a rare chance to explore how Bronze Age communities used similar tools to survive and thrive.
The Arne Moors site likely served as a seasonal resource hub, where Bronze Age people came not to settle permanently, but to gather materials and exploit the rich natural resources. Archaeologists believe these visitors made use of seasonal changes, taking advantage of the wetland’s peat for fuel, reeds for weaving and construction, and ample opportunities for hunting, fishing, and gathering. This spade provides valuable insight into their relationship with the landscape and their resourcefulness in adapting to their environment.
Preserving the Past for Future Study
The spade, currently undergoing a specialized freeze-drying process, is being carefully treated to stabilize it for further analysis. Conservation experts are using a polymer solution to prevent shrinking during drying, which will allow the artifact to be stored under normal conditions. After preservation, experts plan to examine the spade further to understand its construction and role in ancient daily life.
Remarkably, only one other Bronze Age wooden tool has been discovered in Britain—a shovel known as the “Brynlow Shovel,” unearthed in Cheshire in 1875. This new discovery could expand our understanding of Bronze Age craftsmanship and the importance of wooden tools in daily life.
The Moors at Arne Project: Bridging Past and Present
The spade was discovered as part of the larger Moors at Arne project, which seeks to restore over 150 hectares of wetland habitat. The project aims to protect these fragile ecosystems against rising sea levels, which threaten to erode intertidal habitats like mudflats and salt marshes. As coastal “squeeze”—where sea levels meet man-made structures like flood defenses—continues to reduce these valuable areas, the project will support biodiversity and offer natural flood protection for nearby communities.
As the work continues, archaeologists and environmental scientists hope to reveal even more about how ancient people interacted with this landscape. Each discovery not only enriches our understanding of Britain’s history but also highlights the urgent need to protect and learn from our natural environments.
