Cambridge Archaeological Unit
banner
cambridgearch.bsky.social
Cambridge Archaeological Unit
@cambridgearch.bsky.social
This corner of a ditch was tied into the Middle Bronze Age field systems at Needingworth Quarry, Cambridgeshire. Bounding a field this ditch marked the edge of the system with unenclosed land, potentially used as pasture during prehistory, opening up beyond.
February 13, 2026 at 8:01 AM
A Middle Bronze Age dirk/rapier was discovered during test-pitting at Needingworth Quarry, Cambridgeshire. Found at the edge of a field system where the landscape was dropping off into a wet and marshy area, its location is consistent with Bronze Age deposition practices.
February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This prehistoric watering hole contained a large deposit of animal bone, consisting of 530 pieces weighing over 20kg. Discovered at Needingworth Quarry, Cambridgeshire evidence suggests the feature had been associated with the processing of animal products, a process that required standing water.
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This cluster of pits from Needingworth Quarry, Cambridgeshire produced no finds, meaning they couldn’t be easily dated during the excavation. Likely prehistoric, based on the surrounding archaeology, the pits highlight how challenging interpreting sites can be in the field.
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Excavations at the Brice Aggregates Needingworth Quarry, Cambridgeshire uncovered this prehistoric pit well that contained a log ladder. At one end of the ladder a length of side branch had been left intact and placed downwards with the branch acting as a strut to support the foot of the ladder.
February 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM
If you’re interested in archaeology a lot of our publications are available free to download from the University of Cambridge’s Apollo Repository, including the Must Farm pile-dwelling settlement volumes. Volume I has nearly reached 18,000 downloads! doi.org/10.17863/CAM...
February 3, 2026 at 8:01 AM
One of our most exciting discoveries was the amazing Trumpington Cross. Made from gold and garnets it dates to the late 7th century AD and was found with the skeleton of a female buried on top of a bed. Find out more in the free book Riversides available online: doi.org/10.17863/CAM...
February 2, 2026 at 8:48 AM
It’s that time of year when archaeological sites are haunted by a terrifying spectre. If you head visit a site, be sure to keep an eye out for a ghostly sheet that can appear to provide shade for photos.
January 30, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This complete antler or bone artefact was discovered in a ditch forming part of a Middle to Late Anglo-Saxon enclosure system at Trumpington Meadows. It is decorated on both broad faces and is likely to have been used as a pendant. More in Riversides: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 29, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This Anglo-Saxon sunken-featured building, SFB 4, found at Trumpington Meadows contained several dumps of material after it had been abandoned. These contained almost 17.5kg of animal bone, metal knives, a comb and a loomweight. More info in Riversides buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Excavations at Trumpington Meadows discovered an Anglo-Saxon settlement with several sunken-featured buildings (SFBs). SFB 2 contained fragments from at least three glass vessels and fine copper alloy dress pins. More info in Riversides buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 27, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Iron Age features excavated at Trumpington Meadows produced 21 bird bones including ducks, corvids and raptors. This large claw phalanx matches eagle and could have belonged to either a golden or white-tailed eagle. More information in Riversides: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Several Iron Age features at Trumpington Meadows produced large amounts of daub with the impressions of wattle and split wood/timber. These indicate the daub was structural and may have been used to make walls or ovens. More information in Riversides: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 23, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Four human bones from Iron Age features at Trumpington Meadows had been modified to be used as implements. Two femurs had been adapted as scrapers while another femur and tibia had been modified to serve as pointed blades. More details in Riversides: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Many of the Iron Age pits in the clusters discovered at Trumpington Meadows were interpreted as having been used for storing grain. Most were more modest in size but this large pit from Cluster 1 had a capacity of 7.1 cubic metres. More information Open Access: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 21, 2026 at 8:01 AM
At Trumpington Meadows over 500 Iron Age pits, like these from Area C, provided evidence of settlement. More information on Trumpington Meadows’ Iron Age settlement can be found in the free book Riversides available here: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 20, 2026 at 8:01 AM
These two Beakers were discovered in a double burial at Trumpington Meadows. The grave contained a female and a male buried toe-to-toe with each having a beaker placed next to their heads. More details can be found in Riversides, an Open Access publication here: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 19, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Monument I at Trumpington Meadows contained a range of animal bone typical of the Neolithic. Three red deer antler fragments were found, though only one appeared to have been used as a pick. Find out more in Riversides, available as a free Open Access download: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 16, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This arrowhead tip was found in near Skeleton 2, an adult male buried in Monument I at Trumpington Meadows. Arrowheads are not normally found as grave goods in this period and it may have been the cause of this individual’s death. More information in Riversides buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
One of the Neolithic barrows from Trumpington Meadows, Monument I, contained four burials that had likely been placed inside a timber chamber in its centre. More details can be found in the book Riversides, available as a free Open Access download: buff.ly/cGoGcBf
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Two barrows containing burials were discovered at Trumpington Meadows with excavation revealing that both monuments had been constructed in the Early Neolithic. More details in Riversides, available as a free Open Access download here: doi.org/10.17863/CAM...
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM
The 2018 volume Riversides: Neolithic Barrows, a Beaker Grave, Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon Burials and Settlement at Trumpington has been released as a free Open Access download here: doi.org/10.17863/CAM...
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Cambridge Archaeological Unit
Rarely awarded Honorary MA degree for Cambridge Archaeologist Christopher Evans, former Director of the @cambridgearch.bsky.social

This honorary award is only rarely given and marks an outstanding contribution to the University, or City or County of Cambridge.  

www.arch.cam.ac.uk/news/rarely-...
January 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Three of the log boats discovered during the Must Farm palaeochannel excavations are going on display at Flag Fen Archaeology Park. Nine boats were found with dates ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare Bronze Age log boats on display in Peterborough first
The boats
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Time to ask the classic question.
April 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM