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2026-01-21 19:39:20 UTC

Archaeo-Histories on Nostr: The oldest preserved wooden staircase in Europe (1344-1343 BC) was discovered within ...

The oldest preserved wooden staircase in Europe (1344-1343 BC) was discovered within Hallstatt salt mines in Upper Austria.

The staircase was part of a vertical shaft system used by Bronze Age miners to transport salt from subterranean galleries. Its location within salt-rich environment contributed to its exceptional preservation, as salt inhibited growth of wood-decaying fungi. The structure remained intact until landslide in 1000 BC buried it, effectively preserving it for over 3,000 years.