Must Farm Bronze Age settlement

Must Farm is a Bronze Age settlement near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire. It stands on the bed of an ancient river in the Flag Fen basin, a large wetland area formed after the last glacial period. The site dates to around 950 BC, when five stilted houses stood above the water. A catastrophic fire destroyed the settlement, causing it to collapse into the river’s soft silt. The oxygen-poor conditions preserved wood, fabric and even food remains remarkably well. Archaeologists have called it ‘Britain’s Pompeii’ for its exceptional state of preservation. The site has twice won national awards for archaeological discovery. The settlement’s destruction preserved everyday objects that would normally rot away. Excavations uncovered tools, pottery, animal bones and even textiles from the Bronze Age. A large wooden wheel, dated between 1100 and 800 BC, shows the advanced craftsmanship of the time. Researchers also found the earliest evidence of human parasites in Britain, including fish tapeworms and giant kidney worms. The dig revealed roundhouses built between 1000 and 800 BC, damaged by fire before sliding into the river. Over 400 artefacts were recovered, giving a detailed picture of daily life. Visitors to the site today see a flat field where the excavation once took place. The surrounding Flag Fen basin remains a wetland landscape of reed beds and waterways. Guided tours at Flag Fen museum display some of the finds, including Bronze Age boats and wooden tools. The museum also shows the digital maps and records created during the dig. A BBC documentary brought the discovery to a wider audience. The project’s use of social media kept people informed as work progressed. The site itself has been reburied to protect what remains underground.