Ancient Cambridgeshire village was 'burnt to the ground' 3,000 years ago

Archaeologists have been at the site for 10 months. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Video report by ITV News Anglia's Stuart Leithes

It's emerged that an ancient village in Cambridgeshire was just a few months old when it burnt down.

Archaeologists have been studying the 'Must Farm' site in Whittlesey for the last 10 months and have described it as "the Pompeii of the Fens."

They have now discovered the settlement was only there for a short time before it was engulfed by flames 3,000 years ago.

Much of the site has been preserved over time, largely thanks to the fire, because as the buildings sunk into the river it helped to keep them in tact.

Analysis of the oak structures suggests that they were still new at the time of the fire and had only been lived in for a few months.

It's not yet known how it started.

The stilts have still been preserved, 3,000 years down the line. Credit: ITV News Anglia

At least five circular houses raised on stilts were found at the settlement, with each having an area for storing meat and another section for cooking or preparing food.

Animal remains show that those living at the site used to eat wild boar, red deer and freshwater fish among other things.

Axe heads, swords and pottery were also discovered in the buildings which experts believe gives an unprecedented insight into what life was like in Bronze Age Britain.

Pottery was discovered at the site. Credit: ITV News Anglia

There is even evidence that settlers traded with people from other countries with beads at the site originally coming from the Mediterranean or Middle East.

The dig is due to finish next week but the findings could soon be displayed to the public.