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Preserving ancient wood. Creating modern artefacts.
By combining ancient resources with the skills of today’s artists, Ancient Redgum Australia brings you unique creative timeless pieces. And when you choose an exquisite treasure from our range, you’re also supporting further research and understanding of these ancient mighty redgums.
In fact, Ancient Redgum Australia reinvests all sales profits into a small research grant offered through the Museum of Victoria. The grant allows students to delve into the evolution of these trees. They are encouraged to learn more about climate’s role in the demise of the trees and how those changes relate to current climate change issues.
Yet the Ancient Redgum Australia story really begins between 5,000-50,000 years ago when towering redgums were felled by erosion from the mighty Murray River. They lay buried centuries as the ground waters deposited fine grained iron minerals which through time converted the original timber to resemble heavy black ebony.
Finally, explorers excavating for gravels, unearthed these sleeping giants – many weighing over 10 tonnes. These unexpected and unwanted by-products were treated as a nuisance and burnt until renowned Australian geologist, Professor Jim Bowler, then Director of Natural Sciences in the Museum of Victoria, was asked to investigate their origins.
Professor Bowler’s work gives us an understanding of the ancient river and forest history. It connects modern geology with the last Ice Age and provides insight into Ancient Australia. Radiocarbon dating confirms the trees are fossilised remains from a period between 5,000 and 50,000 years ago.
Now, Australian Ancient Redgum salvages, mills and kiln dries the timber under strictly controlled conditions before distributing it to selected Australian craftspeople. These artisans preserve this dense black timber in the form of modern artefacts that give you the opportunity to own a piece of Ancient Australia.
Our artists create unique earrings, pendants, boxes, figurines and statues that stress the timber’s unique beauty, grain and strength. They combine the ebony ancient wood with modern-day redgum and wattle to produce stunning patterns and effects.
These are limited-edition heirloom pieces. Please browse our on-line shop today.
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