As they cut into the tree root, the strong smell of cedar emerged, which was pretty amazing considering the tree root was over 7,000 years old.

The tree root discovered on the seabed off Bermuda’s East End some years ago, forms the focal point of a new sea level change exhibit at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

The root was part of an ancient cedar forest. Radiocarbon dating revealed that this tree root is 7,290 years old and was growing in Bermuda when Neolithic man roamed the earth at the later end of the Stone Age. This tree root is conclusive proof that 7,290 years ago our sea level was at least 30 feet lower than it is today. Investigating the drowned forest is only one part of the extensive Bermuda Sea level Study that was conducted by the late Teddy Tucker, of BUEI, and Professor Steve Blasco, of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia, assisted by Dr Philippe Rouja of Bermuda’s Conservation Services.

According to Dr Rouja, Bermuda’s unique geography and stable geology make it the perfect location to track sea level rise in the Atlantic during the past 30,000 years. The ancient cedar root hangs on the wall in the exhibit hall and is dramatically back-lit with LED lighting. The new exhibit highlights video of the tree stump’s removal from the seabed, photos that evidence the change in sea level rise in Bermuda over the years, and addresses why sea level has changed throughout Earth’s history, how much sea level has changed, which areas of the world are most at risk and what we can do to lessen the impact of rising sea levels.

BUEI’s acting director, Geoffrey Gardner said: “We are extremely grateful to the Triad Foundation for providing the funding for this new exhibit. Using the latest interactive technology, we have been able to create an exhibit that investigates and unravels the story of sea level change in Bermuda. The BUEI is moving towards using more interactive technology in their exhibit halls to make the visitor’s experience more exciting, engaging and hands-on.”

The DVDs Oceans in Motion, featuring Teddy Tucker recovering the cedar root, and In Hot Water, that deals with the topic of climate change and is narrated by the late Peter Benchley, are both available in the BUEI gift shop.

BUEI is open 10am to 5pm, seven days a week. For more information call 292-7219 or visit www.buei.org.