By analysing tree graffiti, Dr Jeff Oliver from The Archaeological Research and Consultancy at the University of Sheffield (ARCUS) and Tim Neal from the University's Department of Town and Regional Planning, have been able to gain an insight into the lives of ordinary people and the way in which the city's landscape has been used over time.

The researchers focussed on a number of tree carvings on a long border of mature beech trees which line Woodhead Road, located North of Grenoside. This area of Sheffield is generally believed to be part of ancient woodland which has undergone a great deal of historical change, particularly with regard to the establishment of stone quarries and forestry plantations.

The trees, which were planted in the nineteenth century, are deeply incised with writing that depicts first or last names and date marks from the early decades of the twentieth century. Although it would be difficult to trace the individual authors of these deliberate marks, they are able to provide clues about the changing history of this part of Sheffield.

By crossing carved dates, names and messages with other historical material, the researchers were able to build up a sense of the character of the lives of people that used the road. By mapping out the physical quality of carving and comparing them with other places, the team were also able to capture a sense of the different levels of intimacy that people had with such landscapes.

Dr Jeff Oliver, one of the researchers on the project, explained:

"When the carvings were made the car was still a luxury, public transport was limited – except in the city – and local journeys were still commonly made by foot.

"Considering how traffic speeds through this landscape today and the fact that inscriptions have not been fashioned here for more than half a century, what's most peculiar about this place is its former pace of life. The names and dates seem to suggest a form of intimacy with this landscape in marked contrast to the detached experience of today's travellers who whiz by in their cars.

"The act of tree carving is not at all like the hurried penmanship of a writer or the airbrush strokes of the urban graffiti tagger, it requires a good knife, a bit of elbow grease and time to spare. The carvings speak of less hurried engagements, of quarrymen or agricultural labourers on their walk to work, of soldiers marking their presence on their way to war, or local people punctuating their journey to or from the Grenoside pubs. They speak of lingering presences."