Cambridgeshire has unearthed three rare Bronze Age log boats, which have provided valuable insights into the prehistoric lives of people who lived in the region over 3,000 years ago. These ancient vessels are believed to be among the best-preserved examples of their kind found anywhere in the UK.
The log boats were discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry 13 years ago, where they had lain undisturbed for millennia. The site, known as Must Farm near Whittlesey, was once home to an ancient creek that has since been silted up. A team of archaeologists excavated the area and found nine boats, three of which are now set to go on public display at Flag Fen archaeology park.
The log boats date back between 2,500 and 3,500 years ago and offer a unique glimpse into the lives of people who used them to navigate the region's rivers. Analysis has revealed that the vessels were made from different types of trees, including oak and field maple, and were constructed using traditional techniques.
One of the boats is believed to be around 6.3 metres long, while another fragment measures just 0.8 metres in length. The condition of some of the boats suggests that they had been stored in water to prevent them from cracking or warping, but most appear to have reached the end of their functional life.
The discovery has shed new light on the skills and techniques used by prehistoric people to build and maintain these vessels. According to Iona Robinson Zeki, a researcher at Cambridge Archaeological Unit, the log boats were "amazingly effective" and "surprisingly sophisticated".
The conservation project behind the display is funded by Forterra, Historic England, and Peterborough city council. The project has also provided valuable insights into the lives of people who lived in the region during this period.
Visitors to Flag Fen archaeology park will be able to see three of the log boats on permanent display for the first time, while others are still being conserved at a specialist facility. The exhibition is part of a broader reconnection with the past and offers a unique glimpse into the lives of people who once lived in Cambridgeshire.
The log boats were discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry 13 years ago, where they had lain undisturbed for millennia. The site, known as Must Farm near Whittlesey, was once home to an ancient creek that has since been silted up. A team of archaeologists excavated the area and found nine boats, three of which are now set to go on public display at Flag Fen archaeology park.
The log boats date back between 2,500 and 3,500 years ago and offer a unique glimpse into the lives of people who used them to navigate the region's rivers. Analysis has revealed that the vessels were made from different types of trees, including oak and field maple, and were constructed using traditional techniques.
One of the boats is believed to be around 6.3 metres long, while another fragment measures just 0.8 metres in length. The condition of some of the boats suggests that they had been stored in water to prevent them from cracking or warping, but most appear to have reached the end of their functional life.
The discovery has shed new light on the skills and techniques used by prehistoric people to build and maintain these vessels. According to Iona Robinson Zeki, a researcher at Cambridge Archaeological Unit, the log boats were "amazingly effective" and "surprisingly sophisticated".
The conservation project behind the display is funded by Forterra, Historic England, and Peterborough city council. The project has also provided valuable insights into the lives of people who lived in the region during this period.
Visitors to Flag Fen archaeology park will be able to see three of the log boats on permanent display for the first time, while others are still being conserved at a specialist facility. The exhibition is part of a broader reconnection with the past and offers a unique glimpse into the lives of people who once lived in Cambridgeshire.
they were found in cambs & are still totally intact! its so cool that archaeologists got to dig them up & study how ppl built 'em 
the fact that some of 'em had been stored underwater to prevent 'em from gettin all warped is just mindblowin 
id love 2 see these boats in person at flag fen park, cant wait 2 learn more about our ancient history 
This is wild! The fact that these boats have been lying around for 3k years and still managed to hold together is insane. And the techniques used to build them? Super sophisticated considering the time period. I'm curious to see how much more we'll learn from these guys once they're on display. Also, it's crazy that people back then were able to navigate rivers with such precision. Must Farm near Whittlesey must've been an epic place to live 
. I think it's amazing how much we can learn about our past by studying things like this. It makes you realize how advanced our prehistoric ancestors were 
. I'm actually thinking of going to Flag Fen archaeology park when they open the exhibition, it sounds so cool! 
cant wait 2 see dem on display @ Flag Fen archaeology park 
