ABSTRACT
From earliest recorded times timber has been an ubiquitous material; the ancient Egyptians produced furniture, sculptures, coffins and death masks from it as early as 2500 BC; elaborate wooden couches and beds were produced in the days of the Greek empire (700 BC). The Ancient Briton, somewhat less sophisticated in his requirements, used wood for the handles of his weapons and tools and for the construction of his huts and rough canoes. Considerably more diversity in utilisation appeared in Medieval times when, in addition to the use of timber for the longbow, and later the butt of the crossbow and the chassis of the cannon, timber found widespread use in timber-frame housing and boats; musical instrument manufacture based on wood advanced significantly during this period.
