Dog walker’s routine stroll turns into ‘incredible’3,000-year-old discovery in picturesque forest

A dog walker recently stumbled upon anancient axe headduring a routine walk in a forest — an item that’s believed to date back three millennia.

The axe was found by a dog walker named John in theForest of Dean, a historic woodland in western Gloucestershire, England, near the border with Wales.

The area is known for its ancient trees and dense canopy, and the man spotted the axe “nestled among the roots of a fallen tree in woodland near Brierley,” officials said.

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The discovery was announced in a recent press release from Forestry England, a government agency that manages publicly owned English forests.

“The find was quickly reported to Forestry England, who manage the woodland,” the release said. 

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A dog walker named John, seen at left, discovered a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age axe head during a routine walk in England’s Forest of Dean.(Forestry England)

“The object was handed over for recording and investigation.”

The axe dates to theMiddle Bronze Age, which lasted from roughly 1500 to 1200 B.C.in Britain. 

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It’s likely at least 3,000 years old.

Kayleigh Spring, an objects conservator at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Center, identified the tool as a palstave axe.

The ancient tool was identified as a palstave axe, a design commonly used during the Middle Bronze Age period.(Forestry England)

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Palstave axes were designed with a side loop to be securely attached to a wooden handle.

“It is made from a copper alloy most likely bronze, a mix of copper and tin,” Spring said in a statement.

“Finds like this, though rare, do happen.”

“By the Middle Bronze Age, two-part molds allowed for more sophisticated designs like this one,” she said.

“After confirming it tested negative for chloride ions, we carefully removed soil and corrosion under magnification and applied Incralac to protect the pitted blade and minimize future corrosionwhile on display.”

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After being reported, the axe was carefully analyzed and conserved before being placed in a local museum.(Forestry England)

“It’s incredible to think that tools like this have survived for thousands of years, hidden beneath our feet,” said Dawson.

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“The Forest of Dean is one of England’s largest ancient forests, shaped bycenturies of history, industry and natural beauty,” the official said.

“Finds like this, though rare, do happen.”

The artifact was discovered in the Forest of Dean, an area known for its deep history and ancient landscapes.(Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images)

This isn’t the first time in recent months that dog walkers have stumbled across history in theUnited Kingdom.

In Scotland, two dog walkers recentlyfound “distinct markings”on a beach in Angus that turned out to be 2,000-year-footprints.

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The footprints were later washed away, though archaeologists successfully made 3D models and physical casts before they were destroyed.