Flag Fen Archaeology Park is a Bronze Age site located in Peterborough and is one of Europe’s most important sites due to the Bronze Age “treasures” being found in remarkable condition. The “treasures” I am referring to include: the ancient wooden causeway that stretches across the Fens, the oldest wheel in England and the Roman road.
The wooden causeway that is over 3000 years old is Europe’s only Bronze Age timbers on display and has been preserved in its original location just as it was found. In the Preservation Hall part of the wooden causeway remains in its original position and has been preserved “in-situ”. By misting the area with water the wooden causeway is prevented from drying out thus ensuring this “treasure” will be around for generations to come.
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| Wooden Causeway |
The causeway is an amazing feat of Bronze Age engineering that was brought about by the water level rising. A causeway and platform was built that stretched for a mile over the rising waters. This allowed the Bronze Age people to move across the Fens (between Peterborough and Whittlesey Island) / meet others and to perform ceremonial rituals.
The museum at Flag Fen contains many artefacts that include the oldest wheel ever found in England, a rare gold ring (one of only two in the world from this period of history), Bronze Age swords and a rare collection of tools used by metal workers. There is something for “kids” of all ages to enjoy with the hands-on activities.
Flag Fen Archaeology Park has been landscaped with trees and shrubs that would have been growing locally in the Bronze Age era. There are also animals – Soay sheep and pigs - name unknown. The Soay would have been the type of sheep kept by people in the period between 2000 BC and 600 BC. The Soay is of great archaeological interest as their bones have been found at Flag Fen. The pigs are cross breeds between a wild boar and a Tamworth breed and are similar to what would have been in the area during the Bronze Age.
The park also includes reconstructions of Bronze Age and Iron Age round houses which are user friendly as you can go inside the round houses and see how they were built and how people lived in the Bronze and Iron Ages / there are remains of a Roman road and a great herb garden.
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| Bronze Age Roundhouse |
This is an interesting and educational place to take students to for a half day visit :D
Written by: Andria Owen
Written by: Andria Owen
