A Roman-era boat and pottery were found near the artificial waterway in the 1990s.
The longest artificial waterway built by the Romans in Britain runs through our county. Car Dyke, now a ditch that passes through Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, is approximately 60 miles long.
Its name comes from ‘carr’, a 14th century term for marsh or drained land. Car Dyke is divided into two sections, a 57-mile northern part and a five-mile southern part.
Excavations along the shorter section at Waterbeach during the 1990s led to the discovery of a Roman-era boat and pottery from Horningsea. Significant archaeological finds are thought to be waiting to be discovered along this part, which runs from Setchel Fen on the Old West River in Cottenham to the River Cam in Waterbeach.
The northern Car Dyke begins near the River Witham at Washingborough, Lincolnshire. From here, it runs in a southern direction to Cambridgeshire, where it passes near the eastern edges of Northborough and Glinton.
Before reaching northern Peterborough, it heads east to Peakirk. Its route at this point is now covered by houses.
Car Dyke goes on to pass through Peterborough. Although its course is visible in parts here, much of it has been destroyed by the building of the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway.
Finally, the Roman waterway reaches the River Nene at Fengate, Peterborough.
