Swiss archaeologists find 5,000-year-old door

[October 20, 2010]  ZURICH (AP) -- Archaeologists in the Swiss city of Zurich have found a 5,000-year-old door that may be the oldest ever found in Europe.

Chief archaeologist Niels Bleicher says the ancient poplar wood door is "solid and elegant" with well-preserved hinges and a "remarkable" design for holding the boards together.

Bleicher said Tuesday the door has been dated to 3,100 years B.C.

Archeologists working at the dig for what is intended to be a new underground car park have found traces of at least five Neolithic villages believed to have existed at the site between 3,700 and 2,500 years B.C.

Other objects discovered include a flint dagger from what is now Italy and an elaborate hunting bow.

[Associated Press]

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