Unearthing the Past: Bronze & Iron Age Log Boats Revealed in Cambridgeshire
Archaeologists working in Cambridgeshire have unveiled a trio of extraordinary prehistoric vessels - log boats dating between 2,500 and 3,500 years old. Originally discovered during the excavations at Must Farm, often called “Britain’s Pompeii” for its exceptional Bronze Age preservation, the boats have now undergone detailed conservation and analysis, offering a rare look into the lives and technologies of ancient Fenland communities.
The three vessels vary significantly in size and construction: a 6.3-metre oak craft shaped with remarkable precision; a repaired 2.2-metre fragment that hints at repeated use and maintenance; and a smaller 0.8-metre maple boat whose purpose continues to intrigue researchers. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a landscape where rivers were highways, marshes were home, and woodworking was a highly skilled craft passed through generations.
Beyond their craftsmanship, the boats open a window onto a world where people relied on waterways for everything from travel and trade to hunting and gathering. Their survival in the damp silt of the Fens is little short of miraculous, and each vessel still bears the marks of the hands that shaped it. As researchers continue to analyse residues, wood structure and toolmarks, these boats may yet reveal more about the communities who carved them.
For travellers and history enthusiasts, the discovery is a reminder that the British landscape is layered with stories - not all of them monumental or imperial. Some are humble, intimate and deeply human, resting quietly beneath our feet until the past chooses to rise again.
Added: 21st November 2025
