physical and mechanical properties of subfossil oak (quercus, sp.) wood

The paper deals with the examination of physical and mechanical properties of subfossil wood of oak (Quercus, sp.). The issue of establishing physical and mechanical properties of subfossil oak wood has not yet been addressed in the area of the Czech Republic. The main objective is to find out what changes to subfossil wood properties have occurred in comparison with recent wood. For these purposes, samples from three locations were taken (gravel pit Tovačov – district Přerov, gravel pit Kostomlátky – district Nymburk, and the Bečva basin near Osek nad Bečvou). All of the selected properties were tested in compliance with relevant valid Czech technical norms (ČSN). The results provide us with a realistic picture of the properties of wood that has been deposited under the ground in very specific conditions for thousands of years. With regard to density, the results do not show any definite changes. The dimensions of subfossil wood are approximately doubled in comparison with recent wood. On the other hand, there is an obvious decrease in mechanical properties. The paper also offers the results of dendrochronological or radiocarbon dating of the trunks.