Dovetails - a bit of history

[rafezetter]

I was lucky enough to spend some time in the USA recently and visit the Metropolitan Museum of New York, "The Met".

Walking around the Egyptian exhibits I spotted something quite interesting - 2 wooden boxes that had been buried with a Pharaoh - what caught my eye was the corner joints.

Dovetails. The boxes were dated circa 1459 - 1478 BC, so roughly 3,500 years ago.

Pretty sloppy I have to say , but if they were good enough for a Pharoah, I guess those of us who are not so great at them can take heart.

 

[Orraloon]

They were likely a bit more crisp when new. Would also lave been done with a copper or bronze saw and chisel.
Regards
John

 

[Blackswanwood]

Interesting … I wonder if there was an argument about whether to cut the tails or pins first

 

[Jacob]

I bet there are stone-age dovetails somewhere - some sort of tank made with slate slabs perhaps.
DTs could be de-mystified as just a very useful, essential and easy joint - not the amateur woodworkers focus on stupendous woodworking skill backed up by dozens of gadgets.