Situated in the low-lying fens of East Anglia, Cambridgeshire is home to the famous Cambridge University and the cathedral city of Ely. Archaeological remains in the county date back to the early Neolithic period and human activity has continued right up to the present day. The area was an important site for airfields in the Second World War owing to the flat nature of the land and its proximity to Europe. Important archaeological sites include:
- Flag Fen, one of our most important Bronze Age sites, and the recently discovered Must Farm site, both of which exhibit outstanding preservation of remains.
- Stonea Camp Iron Age hill fort.
- King Street and Fen Causeway Roman roads, and the remains of the Roman towns of Durobrivae.
- The Roman tumulus cemetery at Bartlow Hills.
- Trumpington Anglo-Saxon bed burial and the Saxon Fleam Dyke and Devil’s Dyke.
- Ely Cathedral, which was begun in 1038 on the site of the Anglo Saxon abbey of St. Etheldreda.
- A range of structures remaining from the First and Second World War that form the Cambridgeshire Aviation Trail.
Explore artefacts and coins found in Cambridgeshire and recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. There’s even more about Cambridgeshire finds and volunteering on our blog.
To get involved, try one of the museums, clubs or societies or come to a local event. Or contact us to learn more about volunteering for the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
