A GROUNDBREAKING archaeological find near Whittlesey has received a top award.

Judges for the British Archaeological Awards said the discovery of Bronze Age artefacts including spoons, swords, ropes and buckets by Hanson Building Products and the Cambridge University Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Must Farm Quarry was one which “captures the public’s imagination”.

The excavation, which took place during 2011, focused on eight preserved logboats which were buried deeply into the ground and required teams to work tirelessly to extract them.

The discoveries along the old course of the River Nene have been described as “nationally important” and are due to be preserved and displayed at the Flag Fen visitor centre in Peterborough and Whittlesey Museum.

“Since the initial discovery of this extraordinary, deeply buried archaeological Fenland site, CAU and their specialist colleagues have worked tirelessly to excavate eight preserved logboats,” Cambridgeshire County Council acting head of growth and economy Dave Arkell said.

“The recognition at the awards ceremony of the Must Farm team’s combined efforts will focus attention to these nationally important archaeological remains and help with raising external funding needed for their conservation and display.”

The Council’s Development Control Committee will send its congratulations to Hansons, their archaeological advisors SLR Consulting and the CAU for the recovery of artefacts and recording of finds, as well as the council’s own staff who helped with the project, at its next meeting.

Their efforts scooped both the Best Archaeological Discovery prize and Best Archaeological Project for its “innovation and originality of approach”.