Ancient Roman road ran past a Bronze Age settlement with 3,500 years of history

2,000 years ago, the determined legions of the Roman Empire landed in British lands and enforced their rule. Cambridgeshire held some of their most important strongholds and some of the roads they built to connect them still exist today.

Some of these Roman Roads in Cambridgeshire are footpaths that can be walked through and enjoyed, but others have been lost to history. One Roman Road near Peterborough only exists today because it was unearthed by an archaeology park and museum.

Only three miles outside of Peterborough, Flag Fen is most famous today for being the archaeological site of a Bronze Age settlement. At 3,500 years old, this site is one of the most impressive historical places in Cambridgeshire.

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Today, the park has impressive reconstructed prehistoric landscapes where visitors can experience how our ancestors lived and survived. Amazingly, the harsh fenland conditions helped to preserve the wooden structures over thousands of years.

Because of this fascinating preserved history, Flag Fen was able to build reconstructed roundhouses and a unique timber causeway where one of the earliest known examples of a wheel found in England is on display for all to see.

But, it turns out that Flag Fen was also Roman. A section of the Roman road known as the Fen Causeway (not to be confused with the road in Cambridge) has been exposed and crosses the site.

It is believed, however, that by the time the Romans had arrived at Flag Fen's ancient site, most of the Bronze Age structure had been naturally covered over time and preserved. The area would have simply been an empty landscape, perfect for the construction of a long road.

Fen Causeway, also known as Fen Road, is an ancient Roman Road that is around 2,000 years old. It originally ran for 24 miles, connecting Denver in Norfolk, just outside Downham Market, and Peterborough. The road also would have connected to Ermine Street, which is another Roman Road that still exists today in some form.

It is believed by archaeologists that Fen Causeway was raised above the marshy fens by about 60 feet, so, in its heyday, it would have been quite an impressive sight to see.

Although not much of it exists today, except for what has been revealed at Flag Fen, it's amazing that even a section of this ancient route can still be walked and enjoyed today at a site where there is more history than anyone could ever imagine.