Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old well in eastern Europe, which they believe is the oldest wooden structure in the world. The square well was built with oak by farmers around 5256 B.C., according to researchers who found its origin after analyzing the tree rings in the wood. The well's age makes it the oldest wooden construction worldwide, according to the researchers in the Czech Republic.
"The well was only preserved because it had been underwater for centuries. Now we cannot let it dry out, or the well would be destroyed," said Karol Bayer of the University of Pardubice's Department of Restorationin.
Researchers are developing a process to dry the wood and preserve it using sugar to strengthen the wood's structure. "It is interesting that the corner posts were made of previously fallen trunks, namely from the trunk which had been cut in the autumn or winter 5259 B.C. or the winter of early 5258 B.C.," said Michal Rybníček of the Department of Wood Science at Mendel University.
Measuring 140 cm (56 inches) in height and with an 80 by 80 cm (32 by 32 inches) square base, the well was found last year during the construction of the D35 motorway near Ostrov, Czech Republic. Researchers published their findings in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Its design shines a light on technical skills that researchers didn't think Neolithic people possessed. "The design consists of corner posts with inserted planks. This type of construction reveals advanced technical know-how and, till now, is the only known type from this region and time period," the authors wrote. "The shape of the individual structural elements and tool marks preserved on their surface confirm difficult carpentry skills," the authors wrote. It is the third well from the early Neolithic period found in the Czech Republic in the past four years.
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