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An early medieval symbol carved on a tree trunk: pathfinder or territorial marker?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2010

Dagmar Dreslerová  and
Radek Mikuláš
Dagmar Dreslerová
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology ASCR Praha v.v.i., Letenská 4, 11801 Praha 1, Czech Republic (Email: dreslerova@arup.cas.cz)
Radek Mikuláš
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology ASCR v.v.i., Rozvojová 269, 16502 Praha 6, Czech Republic (Email: mikulas@gli.cas.cz)
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Abstract

The chance discovery of a carved symbol on a waterlogged tree of the six–ninth century AD may be the earliest mark on a living tree that has so far come to light. Given its rarity, an obvious interpretation remains elusive, but the authors review a wide range of possibilities from analogies ancient and modern. Symbols on trees have been used to mark trails, the ownership of land and resources, and all manner of votive moments from superstitious sign-making, worship of a god, thanks for a successful hunt or the memory of a loving tryst.

Keywords

Central Europeearly medievalwood carvingfossil oakalluvial setting
Type
Research articles
Information
Antiquity , Volume 84 , Issue 326 , December 2010 , pp. 1067 - 1075
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2010

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