The oldest carved wood in Britain - the Boxford Bog Oak - has been returned to Boxford in West Berkshire. It was found by chance during workshop construction in 2019 and had been on display at West Berkshire Museum.
Historic England dated the timber to about 6,000 years old, with a 95 per cent probability the final ring formed in 4640BC-4605BC. It comes from the end of the Mesolithic period when people were shifting from hunting and gathering to a more settled lifestyle.
The meaning of the markings is unknown, though they look like decoration seen on early Neolithic pottery.
West Berkshire Museum worked with the Boxford History Project and Boxford Heritage Centre to loan the piece back and secured Museum Development South East funding to buy a high-quality case and display mounts to protect it.
The timber was scanned and an exact replica was 3D printed and colourised; the replica remains on display at West Berkshire Museum while the original is on loan in Boxford.
Nigel Foot (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill), West Berkshire's executive member for culture, leisure, sport and countryside, said:
"We are very excited to return the Boxford wood carving to the area that it was first discovered.
"The West Berkshire Museum team have worked so diligently with the local community to deliver this exciting project, not only with offering interpretation and advice, but also securing funding to purchase a case to make sure the timber could be displayed safely.
"It is a great example of collaborative working to make sure this remarkable piece of heritage can be enjoyed by everyone in the community."
West Berkshire Museum in Newbury is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Entry is free; donations are welcomed.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
