Flag Fen Western Causeway Archaeological Investigation

Description

Flag Fen, near Peterborough, is a nationally significant wooden Bronze Age post alignment and timber platform with associated artefacts and palaeoenvironmental remains. The archaeology is preserved within an embayment of low-lying wetland known as the Flag Fen basin. It is designated as a scheduled monument, along with adjacent dry-land Bronze Age remains at Northey. Preliminary work indicated that the fragile organic remains are degrading, which was confirmed following recent evaluation excavations commissioned by Historic England (Knight 2023). The aim of this project is to carry out targeted intrusive excavations over an area of the post alignment to recover samples of wood before degradation removes the evidential value of the site completely. This work will include a high level of public participation opportunities for local people to take part in all aspects of the excavations. To summarise, the Council is seeking a competent contractor to fulfil the following objectives: To characterise the remains of the westernmost area of the post alignment through archaeological excavation. To record and sample the horizontal and vertical wooden remains for technological assessments and species identification. To obtain samples from deposits associated with the post alignment to characterise their potential for informing on the use of the structure. To obtain samples from the wood to carry out scientific dating. To obtain samples for palaeoenvironmental analysis.