Fenscapes: Archaeology, natural heritage, and environmental change in the Fens

New research published in Antiquity by the Fenscapes Project demonstrates how biases in archaeological practice shape our understanding of the past in the Fens of Eastern England.

The team have generated models of the Early Holocene surface and thickness of Holocene sediments using over 2,700 open-source British Geological Survey borehole logs.

They have also produced a consolidated dataset of 393 plant and animal assemblages from the Fens.

The new multi-proxy synthesis reveals key underlying biases that shape our understanding of the Fens of Eastern England.

This research underpins the importance of understanding how archaeological practice shapes what is known in deeply buried landscapes.

Wicken Lode | Image credit: Fenscapes

Members of the team augering | Image: Fenscapes

Ely medieval animal remains | Image credit: Fenscapes

Bedford River | Image credit: Fenscapes

Fenscapes is an interdisciplinary group of archaeologists working to develop new synthetic understandings of the environmental archaeological record of the Fens.

The team includes Neal Payne, Joshua Harry, Rachel Ballantyne, Matthew Brudenell, Matthew Davies, Phil Stastney and Vida Rajkovača.

Their research brings together diverse archaeological datasets including animal and plant remains, Historic Environment Record data for archaeological events and finds, and a regional deposit model.

Thanks to Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk County Councils, and Peterborough City Council for providing access to Historic Environment Record data.

Published 31 October 2025

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