The oak log found on a Lincolnshire golf course was carved using the “split wood” technique to be hollowed out to create room for the body.
In what was considered an extraordinary fortuitous find, during maintenance work on a lake at a golf course in County Lincolnshireeast of United Kingdomit was discovered at “Rare” wooden sarcophagus. of the Bronze Age containing the remains of a man and a perfectly preserved ax.
The discovery of the coffin and its contents occurred in 2018, resulting in a rescue mission funded by a grant from 70,000 pounds (nearly $ 100,000) which was led by experts from the Department of Archeology of the Sheffield University.
The coffin, three meters long and one meter wide, was specially protected to ensure that the delicate structure does not crumble after being exposed to the sun and air. All the work lasted three years and, at times, had to be interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The split oak lay dormant for a long time so that its original structure was preserved at the time of discovery.
As reported by the York Archaeological Fundduring the maintenance work at the time carried out on the lake of tetney golf coursethe workers were surprised to find at the bottom the old coffin three meters long by a wide one, tnestled in the trunk of an oak about 4000 years ago.
Inside, the remains of a man were found arranged on a layer of juniper leaves and an ax, which is estimated to have been more a symbol of authority of a homemade instrument. These elements, as well as the complexity and effort invested in the coffin, make researchers think that the burial belongs a person of high social rank.
The coffin was carved with the “split wood” technique.that is, by first cutting the trunk lengthwise and then hollowing it out to form a half trunk.
So far, only a few are known in the UK. 12 axes and 65 sarcophagi such as those found on the golf course, a shortage mainly due to the rapid degradation of the wood. For this reason, experts hope the burial will shed new light on the funerary practices in the Bronze Age.
The ax found in the sarcophagus was a symbol of authority for men of the highest social classes in Bronze Age Britain.
Mark Casswell, owner of Tetney Golf Club, He said: “My family farmed this land for years before opening the golf course. I never imagined there was a completely different world buried under the grass. Is fantastic how well preserved is the ax. We will have a beautiful photo to hang on the walls of the Country Club House “.
After carrying out the conservation works ‘in situ’, the find was transferred to the structures of the York Archaeological Fund, where restoration work is underway on the pieces. Once these conclude, the discovery It will be exhibited at the Lincoln City Museum.
Source: Clarin