Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
last yr.

Must Farm: Bronze Age Settlement Unveils Ancient Domestic Life

Excavations reveal a detailed snapshot of cozy, sophisticated living in England's Bronze Age, challenging previous notions of prehistoric domesticity.

An illustration of the Bronze Age stilt settlement uncovered at Must Farm in eastern England.
The village was only occupied for a short time, but its inhabitants owned and used many rich and varied objects.
Shown here is an artist's illustration of what the inside of the roundhouses may have looked like.
A metal axe head with wooden haft was among the many well preserved artifacts discovered at Must Farm.

Overview

  • Archaeologists uncover a remarkably preserved late Bronze Age settlement at Must Farm, offering an unprecedented glimpse into ancient domestic life circa 850 B.C.
  • The settlement, built on stilts above a river, was destroyed by a catastrophic fire less than a year after its construction, leaving behind a rich trove of artifacts.
  • Detailed analysis of the site shows sophisticated domestic layouts, including distinct living areas, advanced textile production, and a diet featuring honey-glazed venison and porridge.
  • Recovered artifacts, such as finely crafted tools, textiles, and exotic beads, suggest a level of comfort and prosperity previously unimagined for the time.
  • The excavation, described as Britain's Pompeii, provides a unique blueprint for Bronze Age architecture and domestic life, potentially reshaping our understanding of ancient communities.