Three prehistoric vessels dating back more than 3,000 years are set to go on public display after being unearthed from a quarry in Cambridgeshire. The rare discovery of nine ancient log boats, believed to span the Bronze and Iron Ages, marks the largest known find of its kind at a single site in the United Kingdom.
First uncovered 13 years ago at Must Farm near Whittlesey, the boats were excavated from the bed of a long-silted waterway. Experts estimate the vessels are between 2,500 and 3,500 years old. The discovery offers critical evidence about how people during the Bronze and Iron Ages built and used watercraft for everyday life.
Three of the boats, now fully conserved, will be shown publicly for the first time beginning Friday. The rest remain under preservation at a specialized facility at Flag Fen archaeology park. The conservation has been carried out by York Archaeological Trust in partnership with Peterborough City Council.
Preservation process reveals construction techniques
Researchers identified the tree species used, the felling techniques, and the tools employed in crafting the vessels. Each boat was shaped from a single tree trunk, forming streamlined and practical designs.
The boats have been kept in climate-controlled conditions using a wax and water solution that helps stabilize the ancient wood. Among the three going on display, one is a 6.3-meter (20.7 feet) oak vessel from the Middle Bronze Age with visible signs of charring inside.
Three Bronze and Iron Age log boats, preserved for more than 3,000 years, are now going on public display after major conservation work. A rare glimpse into prehistoric life and craftsmanship.#Archaeology #History #Cambridgeshire #BronzeAge #IronAge pic.twitter.com/6FYSC11sdP
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 14, 2025
Another is a 2.2-meter (7.2 feet) oak fragment from the same era featuring a detailed repair within the hull. The third is a smaller 0.8-meter (2.6 feet) section made of field maple, dating to the Early Bronze Age.
Bronze and Iron Age boats reveal daily life and environment
Iona Robinson Zeki of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit explained that the boats were used on a fenland river for nearly a thousand years. She explained that different tree types and sizes were selected to produce a range of boats—from small, maneuverable canoes to longer, more stable vessels used for transporting goods, people, and possibly animals.
Over time, the landscape surrounding the site became wetter as groundwater levels rose, turning seasonally damp land into permanent swamp. Robinson Zeki said this change made boats the primary means of transport in the area.
Some vessels appear to have been stored in water to prevent damage, likely intended for reuse. However, most showed signs that they had reached the end of their working life.
Funding for the conservation project was provided by Forterra, which owns the quarry, along with support from Historic England and Peterborough City Council.
Flag Fen’s general manager, Jacqueline Mooney, said the exhibit is more than a collection of ancient artifacts. She called it a rare connection to the people who once lived, traveled, and worked in the region, brought to life through careful excavation and preservation.
