In the first published synthesis of the subject, Caroline Earwood traces the changing styles and manufacturing techniques of wooden domestic artefacts in Britain and Ireland from the Neolithic age to the time of the Vikings. A surprising number of these items have survived - some as ancient as 6000 years old - in wet and waterlogged places such as wells and bogs.

The book atempts to answer questions about who made the many and varied objects, who used them and ow theirstyle and deecoration compare with potery, maetal and stone artefacts from the same period. It also examines the continues use of ancient tehniques as late as the 20th century.