Ely: The Hidden History

The Norman Cathedral is a masterpiece of medieval architecture sitting proudly on the Isle of Ely, but there is more to this city, once home to Oliver Cromwell. The authors trace the origins of life in Ely and the surrounding villages. Using vivid illustrations to bring the most recent archaeological excavations to life, the monumental Neolithic burial chamber excavated at Haddenham and Early Bronze Age burials from Sutton village are presented here for the first time. The latest research on the nationally important later Bronze Age hoard from Wilburton and Iron Age bog body from Soham highlight the importance of the Isle of Ely to British archaeology. The findings from Channel 4s Time Team excavation of the medieval Broad Street are included with illustrations, as well as the stories of Hereward the Wake and later that of Oliver Cromwell and the Littleport riots. The book ends in the 20th century and the story of wartime Ely.

David Barrowclough is fellow in archaeology at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of Prehistoric Lancashire and Prehistoric Cumbria. Kate Ayres is the curator of the Ely Museum.