Agriculture benefited from bronze ploughs which were more efficient than earlier wooden ones. Bronze axes cleared forests and increased the land available for growing crops and grazing animals. Irrigation helped make farming more productive and dry stone walls marked field boundaries.

What did they find at Must Farm?

In the summer of 1999, decaying timbers were discovered protruding from the southern face of the quarry pit at Must Farm. Crucially for Must Farm, the timber structures were wet when they were built, wet during their use, and wet for a long period afterwards.

When was Must farm occupied?

Radiocarbon dating has indicated that the ages of these boats spanned a period of about 1,000 years, with the earliest examples dating to around 1750–1650 BCE.

What is a Bronze Age settlement?

A settlement is a place where a community of people live. At the beginning of the Bronze Age in Europe, most people lived in small villages or on farms. They built houses from materials that could be found nearby, such as wood or stone. These were some of the first defensive settlements.

Why was the Bronze Age so important?

The Bronze Age marked the first time humans started to work with metal. Bronze tools and weapons soon replaced earlier stone versions. Humans made many technological advances during the Bronze Age, including the first writing systems and the invention of the wheel.

How did the Bronze Age affect agriculture?

The bronze plow could take hard impacts and kept its edge for much longer than a wooden plow. Suddenly, farmers could till large fields cleared by bronze axes. This allowed for food surpluses, grain trading, and the accumulation of wealth. The next challenge for Bronze Age farmers had nothing to do with labor output.

Can you visit must farm?

As the site is situated in a working quarry we are unable to accept general visitors, volunteers or host a public open day. There are opportunities for local interest groups to visit the site by appointment.

When did the Bronze Age begin?

3300 BC – 1200 BC
Bronze Age/Periods

How did people lived in Bronze Age?

During the Bronze Age, many people crossed the sea from mainland Europe to Britain. They travelled in long wooden boats rowed by oarsmen. The boats carried people, animals and trading goods. They were loaded with metal from mines, precious swords, pots and jewellery.

What do you know about Bronze Age?

The Bronze Age marked the first time humans started to work with metal. Bronze tools and weapons soon replaced earlier stone versions. Ancient Sumerians in the Middle East may have been the first people to enter the Bronze Age.

What important events took place in the Bronze Age?

Bronze tools and weapons soon replaced earlier stone versions. Ancient Sumerians in the Middle East may have been the first people to enter the Bronze Age. Humans made many technological advances during the Bronze Age, including the first writing systems and the invention of the wheel.

Is there a Bronze Age settlement at Must Farm?

Thanks to funding from Historic England and Forterra, in August 2015 we were able to continue the work begun in Bronze Age River, and start investigating a settlement at Must Farm. The settlement was built on a platform on piles over a river channel and dates back to the end of the Bronze Age (1000-800 BC).

Where was the Bronze Age settlement in Cambridgeshire?

Part of a Bronze Age settlement was uncovered at Must Farm quarry, at Whittlesey, near Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, England.

Did you know archaeologists found the oldest settlement in Britain?

At the Must Farm excavation site between Peterborough and Whittlesey archaeologists have uncovered one of the best preserved settlements dating to the Late Bronze Age (1000 – 800BC).

What is the must farm settlement excavation?

The Must Farm Settlement excavation is an ongoing project being carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit with funding from Historic England and Forterra. The project is investigating an exceptionally well preserved settlement dating to the Late Bronze Age (1000 – 800BC).