Wheel from Bronze Age found by archaeologists in Cambridgeshire

The wheel, found in Cambridgeshire, is thought to date from 1100-800 BC. Credit: Joe Giddens / PA Wire/PA Images

A wheel, believed to be from the Bronze Age, has been found by archaeologists at the edge of a brick quarry near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

The ancient wooden wheel, thought to date from 1100-800 BC, is one metre in diameter and is so well preserved it still contains part of the axle.

It is thought to be the most complete example of a Bronze Age wheel ever found in Britain.

The discovery was made among the water and silt which has preserved countless artefacts at Must Farm quarry, Whittlesey, in the East Anglian fens.

Other items found at the site include a wooden platter and rare small bowls and jars. Credit: Joe Giddens / PA Wire/PA Images

Mark Knight, site director of the excavation, said that combined with other finds at Must Farm, the discovery helps provide an extraordinary insight into domestic life 3,000 years ago.

He said that other evidence revealing the people lived off a diet of lamb, pork, beef, barley and wheat showed the inhabitants of the river community had links with other communities on dry land.

He added: "This was a planned settlement with the wood used for its construction coming from managed woodland. This tells me this is not a one-off and there are more of these settlements along these lines.

"This was the beginning of colonisation and these finds are the first glimpse of a lost world."

Historic England and building products supplier Forterra are funding a major £1.1 million project to excavate 1,100 square metres of the Must Farm quarry site.

After the excavation is finished, the team will take the finds for further analysis and conservation. Eventually, they will be displayed at Peterborough Museum, Flag Fen and at other local venues.