Archaeologists uncover rare 3,500-year-old wooden spade in Dorset

Archaeologists have discovered a rare wooden spade dating back about 3,500 years in the Arne Moors of Dorset, England. This artifact is one of the oldest and most complete prehistoric wooden tools found in Britain, preserved due to waterlogged conditions. The spade, made from a single piece of oak, offers insights into Bronze Age human activity in the area. It suggests that people visited the site seasonally, utilizing the wetland's resources for hunting, fishing, and construction. Only one other similar wooden tool has been found in Britain, discovered in 1875. The new spade is undergoing conservation to ensure its preservation for future study.