In Britain, scientists have found a “time capsule” with the remains of prehistoric insects and plants
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Archaeologists have discovered a prehistoric forest “time capsule” in the ancient peatlands of Exmoor (a geographical area in the west of the county of Somerset and the north of the county of Devon in England). Analysis of found insects and plants allowed scientists to guess what creatures existed then.
Researchers hope that this discovery can help restore the rich landscape of the forest, which existed almost five thousand years ago, and protect it from the negative effects of climate change, writes The Guardian.
Scientists have found a buried area of a prehistoric forest, where the remains of sedge, reed, willow and alder have been preserved. And among the remains of insects they found ground beetles, dung beetles, beetles of the same age, moss mites and water meter beetles. Experts note that they can still be found in healthy wetlands.
All of them belong to the period of the late Neolithic and Bronze Age, who lived in the swamp about five thousand years ago.
| A fragment of an ancient willow found. Photo: Steve Haywood/National Trust/PA |
Peat contains very little oxygen, so wood and other organic materials submerged in it, including human remains, can be preserved for thousands of years. Among the finds was a segment of a willow dating back to the beginning of the Neolithic period: 3940-3650 BC.
“The most amazing thing is that it’s all perfectly preserved, and we now know that there were trees there in a treeless environment.
The fact that we found wood species in such good condition is particularly important because it will help us to understand how peatland biotopes were formed many thousands of years ago.”said Basil Stowe, a National Trust ranger who worked on the Southwest Peatland Project.
The researchers say they will not try to completely recreate the landscape as it was in prehistoric times. They will use the obtained results to decide how to protect this area in the future.
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| The place where the “time capsule” was found. Photo: National Trust/PA |
The Southwest Peatland Project is an initiative aimed at preserving and providing moisture. The water will help the earth absorb more carbon and better withstand destruction from climate change, experts say.
One method of restoring and preserving peatlands is to slow drainage to ensure a stable groundwater level that will maintain moisture, helping to reduce carbon emissions and protect archaeological remains.
In addition, it will help reduce the risk of flooding.
“There were a lot of man-made drainage ditches at this site to make the land more suitable for agriculture. The drainage lowered the groundwater table and dried out the peat so it didn’t absorb carbon.
We’re hoping that the live willow dams will hold water in the peatland so it stays moist.” Stowe added.
We previously reported that a Roman burial bed was found in London.
Vira Shurmakevich, “UP. Life”
Read also: An “arcade” of ancient game boards carved out of rocks was discovered in Kenya
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