Detecting bronze artifacts intact

Scientists at Cambridge University, England, have excavated hundreds of intact relics dating back to 3,000 years at Cambridge Fens.

Among them are 6 wooden boats made from oak stalks, with a length of 8.3m. All of these still retain the clear color and the wood is still very good. In addition, there are many other objects including: sword, wooden spoon bowl; clothing made of fabric decorated with simple textures; food packaging; Sword made of copper .

The smallest wooden boat among the six Bronze period boats
found in the area near Peterborough (Photo: Guardian)

This is the largest intact bronze artifact collection in both the size and quality that scientists find in the UK.

The objects were submerged in an ancient 150m long canal along the southern edge of the Flag Fen river basin, where the land was changed over the millennia due to rising sea levels. They are located 4m above the ground, deep beneath peat layers and silt, so when found these remains are almost preserved intact during the past 3,000 years.

'The Bronze Age collection of antiques opens up a new era of scientific discovery to help us gain more understanding of a developmental stage of human history. Previously, the signs of this period were extremely limited and fuzzy, 'said Mark Knight, the senior project officer of the unit.

The findings show adaptation to human flooded environments during the Bronze Age. They knew how to use rivers to transport goods or catch fish. But the boats have not been used for seafaring.

Excavation work will be carried out for several years. The project is funded by Hanson, a supplier of construction materials.