The settlement was found in central England and can be dated around 1,200 to 800 BC, towards the end of the Bronze Age. A fire caused the wooden circular houses to collapse into a river but much of the material items in the homes have remained. Found intact were jewelry, spears, daggers, and clothing. There were even remnants of food found. Archaeologists expect the find will tell us much about the lives of the residents.
“We are learning more about the food our ancestors ate, and the pottery they used to cook and serve it,” said Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, in a statement. It’s believed the people living in the settlement had to evacuate quickly after the fire started, leaving most of their belongings behind.
A picture is emerging of a settlement that had some wealth. Bones of sheep, pigs, and cattle were unearthed. Numerous log boats were also discovered by researchers. There must have been communication with other communities. Some of the materials they used, such as glass beads and pottery are linked to Spain, France, and central Europe.
A human skull was also discovered near a doorway to one of the houses. That person may have perished during the fire. It’s unknown how many people may have lived in the settlement.
Some are comparing the archaeological find to ancient Pompeii in Italy, another site that was well preserved. Pompeii also allowed scientist to capture how people of the era lived. However the British discovery is much smaller.
