The trackway probably predates Stonehenge. Photo by Tony Bartholemew. Courtesy: English Heritage
A 5,000-year-old log track has been discovered in the Yorkshire Moors.
Archaeologists say the wooden roadway was built in the Neolithic period and probably even predates Stonehenge.
The 50-metre ‘corduroy track’ was unearthed on Hatfield Moors near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, by English Heritage-funded archaeologists.
So far 50 metres of track has been unearthed. Photo by Tony Bartholemew. Courtesy: English Heritage
Experts agree that it was probably built to combat the effects of climate change as the ground along the route became waterlogged due to the increasingly wet weather.
Soil samples suggest the trackway became submerged by the bog and it shows no evidence of being repaired, probably because it was abandoned.
Dr Henry Chapman of Birmingham University was part of the team working on the dig.
The trackway was built between 2900 and 2500 BC. Photo by Tony Bartholemew. Courtesy: English Heritage
“This is a remarkable find of international significance," he said. "We know little of the people who built the trackway, but they were organised enough to respond to the weather conditions on a pretty impressive scale.”
He added: “Little did they know that the wet conditions were no short-term aberration, but part of the wider change that re-shaped their landscape.”
The discovery was made by conservationist Mick Oliver who spotted an “unnatural straight line” in the peat. Upon closer inspection he found the timbers.
The discovery was made after conservation work. Photo by Tony Bartholemew. Courtesy: English Heritage
He said: “I could see axe marks on the wood and evidence that they had been tapered. Given their position in the peat I pretty soon concluded that they were old, possibly even Bronze Age. But of course we know they are even older. It really is the find of a lifetime.”
The trackway is made of pinewood and radio carbon dating suggests that is was built between 2900 and 2500 BC. Only two similar trackways in Europe are thought to be older.
Hatfield Moors are currently undergoing restoration and rewetting by English Nature after being damaged by years of peat extraction.
A second dig is being carried out to see where the track leads. Photo by Tony Bartholemew. Courtesy: English Heritage
A second five-day dig funded by English Nature has now begun to search for further sections of track. Afterwards the area will be back-filled to preserve the timbers.
Tim Kohler, conservation officer for English Nature, said: “We’ve got a tantalising glimpse of the trackway but we need more information to assess its meaning and options for future preservation.”
Archaeologists now want to find out where the path leads so its real significance can be discovered.
