SDO20561 - Prehistoric Boats, Timber, and Woodworking Technology. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society

The recent paper by Coles et al. (1978) on the use and character of prehistoric timber is a most timely reminder that the study of wooden artifacts can make a significant contribution to our understanding of early man. This potential may never be realised, however, unless full records are compiled on site whilst the artifacts are maintained in a stable state by ‘passive’ conservation techniques, and samples of the timber are recovered for post-excavation research. In the past much information has been irretrievably lost because these actions were not taken. It is also necessary to be cautious before accepting that wooden artifacts excavated or found before, say, 1960 are necessarily from the period ascribed to them. Not all simple artifacts are prehistoric.