Peterborough Museum is delighted to have been awarded a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a two-year initiative centred on the internationally significant Bronze Age archaeology of Must Farm in Whittlesey.
Dubbed the “Pompeii of the Fens”, the discovery of the Must Farm settlement in 2015 provided an extraordinary glimpse into everyday life in the Bronze Age due to the exceptional preservation of its artefacts. This newly-funded project made possible by National Lottery players, entitled My Must Farm, will encourage communities to bring these discoveries alive in imaginative and exciting ways for visitors from Peterborough and beyond.
At the heart of the My Must Farm, is Peterborough Museum’s commitment to connecting archaeology collections with the wider public. Through shared activities, communities will be invited to document, interpret, test ideas, and display collections. The programme will culminate in a permanent prehistory display at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery inspirational AV experiences, and an accessible digital catalogue. Volunteers have already played a vital role in researching and caring for archives, earning Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery the Society of Museum Archaeologist’s; Best Volunteer Project 2024.
The Must Farm settlement archive includes weapons, textiles, beads, fish traps, cooking items, and Britain’s earliest wheel. These artefacts offer unparalleled insight into Bronze Age life. By further preservation and interpretation of these items this project will help ensure that this unique heritage is safeguarded for future generations. The Must Farm log boats which form part of an earlier paleochannel excavation at the site have undergone significant conservation at Flag Fen and will go on display later this year.
Launching in this year it is intended that My Must Farm will be key in enhancing the museum’s digital engagement and visitor experiences and strengthening the museum’s role as a centre for research, knowledge sharing, and public engagement—ensuring long-term sustainability.
Sarah Wilson, Heritage Manager at Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players this project will empower people to engage with the Must Farm settlement archive creating a legacy of learning, digital innovation, and inclusive access to Peterborough’s rich archaeological heritage”.
Cllr Zameer Ali, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Public Health, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery has been awarded this significant funding and look forward to seeing this exciting initiative progressed, helping to highlight the much-loved Must Farm discoveries. We are fortunate to have several wonderful attractions in Peterborough and are fully committed to supporting them so they can continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”
Fenland District Council has also contributed £10,000 towards the project. A new display about the Must Farm settlement will be positioned at the Whittlesey Library and community hub bringing the story of Must Farm directly to the heart of the local community.