Product Description

The fens of eastern England form a very distinct environment which produced particular patterns of prehistoric occupation. This account of the discovery and excavation of the now world-famous Bronze Age site near Peterborough begins with an overall survey of the archaeology of the area and then describes the first farmers of the Neolithic period and the houses and habitations of the early Bronze Age. Flag Fen, with its massive timber platform and an avenue of posts with votive deposits, dates from the later Bronze Age. Dr Pryor's reassessment of the site concludes with a brief look at the iron Age, the coming of the Romans and the modern destruction of this precious landscape. This dramatic account of a unique discovery is enhanced by over 100 illustrations, many in full colour.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142430 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author
Dr Francis Pryor, one of Britain's leading prehistorians, is the author of 'Farmers in Prehistoric Britain' (Tempus), 'Seahenge: New discoveries in Prehistoric Britain' and 'Britain BC'. He is Director of the Flag Fen Archaeological Trust and President of the Council for British Archaeology. He lives, and farms, near Spalding.

Customer Reviews

A fascinating archaeological book...
To begin with this book is a little dull and stodgy. The first couple of chapters focus on the aims of the book, the processes of archaeological survey and excavation needed on such a site as Flag Fen and the current theories on the people from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Francis Pryor is very passionate about his work, and at times he's so passionate, that the details in the book become slightly repetitive.

However, stick with the book and by the time you've finished it, you will feel it has been well worth the money. From the excavation techniques and the changes of technique and theory over the last 30 years of digging the Flag Fen site and sub-sites. This book is a story of how all those finds and theories came together to present the current interpretation of the site. This book is in fact a rewrite of the book Francis Pryor wrote in 1991.

There are LOTS of photos, both colour and black and white; of the various excavation sites and stages, and of all the amazing finds.
Ultimately this is an excellent book for anyone with an interest in the pre-Roman landscape and culture of Britain's Fenland...with lots of subsections within the chapters discussing most areas and theories on Bronze Age life in relation to the excavation finds.