An axe head dating back to the Bronze Age has been discovered in the Forest of Dean.
A local resident stumbled upon the historic item nestled among the roots of a fallen tree while out for a walk in woodlands near Brierley.
He reported the find to Forestry England, which manages the Forest of Dean's woodlands, then handed it over for investigation – and on the advice of Cotswold Archaeology, Forestry England sent it off for a more detailed analysis.
Objects conservator, Kayleigh Spring, said: 'Known as a Palstave Axe, it is made from a copper alloy, most likely bronze, a mix of copper and tin.
'This tool was originally cast in moulds. Early Bronze Age moulds were simple hollowed stones, but by the Middle Bronze Age, two-part moulds allowed for more sophisticated designs like this one.
'Its side loop was used to secure the blade tightly to a wooden handle with a cord, preventing movement during use.
'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 minimise future corrosion while on display.'
The axe head has now been taken to the Dean Heritage Centre to be documented and cared for, while Cotswold Archaeology has added a digital 3D model of the axe to its virtual museum.
Forestry England community ranger, Leoni Dawson, said: 'It's incredible to think that tools like this have survived for thousands of years, hidden beneath our feet.
'Finds like these help us connect with the people who lived and worked in these landscapes long before us.'
