Langport Road Somerton Somerset Archaeological Evaluation

Langport Road Somerton Somerset

Archaeological Evaluation

for Barratt Developments Ltd

CA Project: 3940 CA Report: 12265

October 2012

Langport Road Somerton Somerset

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 3940 CA Report: 12265

prepared by Diarmuid O Seaneachain, Assistant Heritage Consultant

date 24 September 2012

checked by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

date 8 October 2012

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 10 October 2012

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-11) ...... 8

3. DISCUSSION ...... 22

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 24

5. REFERENCES ...... 24

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 26 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 39 APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 41 APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 43

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing Areas A, B and C: archaeological features and geophysical survey results Fig. 3 Trench location plan, showing Area A: archaeological features and geophysical survey results Fig. 4 Trench location plan, showing Area B: archaeological features and geophysical survey results Fig. 5 Trench location plan, showing Area C: archaeological features and geophysical survey results Fig. 6 Trenches 1, 2 and 3; sections and photographs (1:20 and 1:50) Fig. 7 Trenches 4 and 7; sections and photographs (1:20) Fig. 8 Trench 10; sections and photographs (1:20) Fig. 9 Trench 11; sections and photographs (1:20) Fig. 10 Trench 10; plan, sections and photographs (1:20) Fig. 11 Trenches 15 and 19; sections and photographs (1:20 and 1:50)

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SUMMARY

Project Name: Langport Road Location: Somerton, Somerset NGR: ST 4772 2815 Type: Evaluation Date: 3-21 September 2012 Location of Archive: Somerset County Museum Accession Number: TTNCM 73/2012 Site Code: LRS 12

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2012 on land off Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset. Twenty-two trenches were excavated.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In September 2012 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Barratt Developments Ltd at Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset (centred on NGR: ST 4772 2815; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a planning application to South Somerset Council for residential development and forms part of a broader evaluation of the archaeological potential of the site, which also includes a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (CA 2012), and geophysical surveys (Stratascan 2011 & 2012).

1.2 The evaluation was carried out at the request of Steven Membery, Senior Historic Environment Officer for Somerset County Council Heritage Service, the archaeological advisor to South Somerset Council, in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2012) and approved by Mr Membery. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2008), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006). It was monitored by Mr Membery, including site visits on 7 and 14 September 2012.

The site

1.3 The proposed development site is situated immediately to the west of the small market town of Somerton, which lies on a low ridge between two rivers, the Yeo and the Cary (Richardson 2003). The proposed development site comprises a total area of 16.7 ha. The landscape is generally flat, with hills to the north, and situated on a gentle south-facing slope.

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the proposed development site comprises Mudstone of the Blue Lias Formation. No superficial deposits are recorded by the British Geological Survey. However, a former watercourse (paleochannel) running east-west through the proposed development site, identified during archaeological evaluation excavations; a second former watercourse in the northern part of the proposed development site, identified from air photos; and evidence of flooding events suggests that there is some potential for deposits of palaeoenvironmental interest to be preserved on the proposed development site (CA 2011). The general

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site sequence comprises limestone bedrock overlain by a deep subsoil of yellow clay, in turn sealed beneath a deep layer of ploughsoil.

Archaeological background

1.5 The archaeological potential of the site has been assessed within a Heritage Desk- Based Assessment (DBA; CA 2011), and subsequent geophysical surveys (Stratascan 2011 and 2012) and is summarised below.

1.6 The assessment revealed evidence of extensive (but undesignated) buried archaeological remains in the southern and central part of the site and a reasonable potential for as yet unrecorded remains in the northern part of the site. These were identified through crop marks and soil marks visible on aerial photographs, as well as through previous small-scale archaeological investigations (see below). These remains are likely to be associated with settlement within the proposed development site in the late prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods. The previous small-scale archaeological excavations discovered a human burial; stone and daub building debris and foundations; in-filled ditches of a former property and field boundaries; general occupation debris comprising pottery sherds and animal bone. This activity was primarily Roman or medieval in date.

1.7 Somerton was situated within the Saxon kingdom of Wessex, and two focal points of Saxon and medieval activity, Somerton itself and St. Cleer’s to the east of the proposed development site, are recorded within the DBA study area. Documentary sources indicate that Somerton was of importance in the Saxon period, although no Saxon features have as yet been excavated within the town. Somerton is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of AD 733, and while evidence for the town as a burgh is extremely limited (focused outside of the DBA study area to the east), the town may have been the administration centre for a Royal Estate. The name Somerton may also indicate a seasonal nature to this role.

1.8 St Cleer’s Farm, immediately to the east of the proposed development site, is the putative location of the seat of a Saxon Royal Manor. A source of 1579 records reference to ‘the Kynges saete of the westesaxons called Senteclere the ruynes whereof remaynithe to this daye’. A farm at this location is known to have been established by at least 1336. Although no extant remains of an early medieval date have been recorded within the proposed development site or the study area, three

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trenches excavated in the central area of the proposed development site recorded evidence of occupation, although generally of late-medieval date. This central field is recorded as Wall Close on the Tithe Map of 1841, and the excavations revealed a stone wall, along with a floor surface suggesting a large building. A number of ditches, pits and post-holes were also discovered. All of these features were found in association with pottery dating from between the 10th and 13th centuries. A watching brief during construction immediately to the east of the proposed development site recorded medieval pottery.

1.9 Somerton had been established as a medieval borough by the 13th century. The area defined in the Extensive Urban Survey as the Saxon and medieval town lies at the very edge of the DBA study area, to the east of proposed development site. A watching brief during pipeline construction, extending into the east of the study area appears to confirm that the proposed development site lies outside the main area of medieval settlement. The watching brief only recorded archaeological features (in situ medieval deposits) within the market square, outside the DBA study area. Although Somerton was clearly the nearest medieval town, a deserted medieval village is recorded at Melbury, to the south of the proposed development site.

1.10 Somerton was particularly prosperous during the post-medieval period, with a combination of a small scale cloth-industry and rich pasture funding development within the town, although the proposed development site probably lay outside of the developed urban area. The proposed development site is depicted on the Somerton Enclosure Map of 1806, which records it as comprising a total of six fields. It is subsequently recorded on the Tithe Map of 1841, which similarly depicts the proposed development site as comprising of six fields. The central field is recorded in the accompanying apportionment as ‘Wall Close’, which may be derived from the former presence of structures within the field (see 1.8 above). A low stone wall forms the northern and western boundary of this field, which may also be the origin of this name. This wall is considered a heritage asset of historic interest and it is possible the stone walling may have been derived from a since lost building or complex lying nearby. The southern boundary of this field, now a watercourse, is recorded as a road or trackway, running east-west across the proposed development site to St Cleer’s Farm. This trackway is no longer extant and may have been flooded to create the watercourse. An interview with the farmer in 1992 indicated that a house had previously been present in Wall Close, which had burned down in the early 20th century.

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1.11 The second edition Ordnance Survey map was produced in 1903 and records the consolidation of enclosures within the proposed development site, which is now recorded as comprising of five fields. Evidence of the now removed boundaries may survive below ground within the proposed development site. This map also records St Cleer’s Farm, to the east of the proposed development site, in detail. A footpath is recorded in the south-eastern corner of the proposed development site, and a second path running east-west through the central field. This second path is still extant, as is the watercourse depicted on this map. Subsequent changes to the proposed development site comprise the excavation of a small pond in the central area, along with the construction of the railway which defines the southern boundary.

1.12 The watercourse, pond, northern boundary and path were all recognisable on the LiDAR data.

1.13 The virtual collapse of the cotton industry at the end of the post-medieval period had a major impact upon the town. Little urban expansion occurred during the 19th century and at the end of the century Somerton did not merit Borough or Urban District status (CA 2011).

1.14 Geophysical surveys undertaken in 2011 and 2012 recorded numerous anomalies correlating broadly with the areas of known or suspected archaeological remains in the south and centre of the site, and suggesting a continuation of archaeological activity into the northern part of the site (Stratascan 2011, 2012). The abstraction of results from these surveys is included in Figures 2-5.

Archaeological objectives

1.15 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist South Somerset Council in making an informed judgement on the significance of the archaeological resource, and the likely impact upon it of the proposed development.

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Methodology

1.16 Twenty-two trenches were excavated in the locations shown in Figure 2. Nine trenches (1, 3, 4 10, 11, 15, 17, 18 and 20) were each approximately 100m long and 1.8m wide. Eight trenches (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 22) measured approximately 50m long and 1.8m wide. Trenches 12 and 19 each measured 60m long, Trench 14 was 75m long, Trench 13 was 83m long and Trench 21 was 40m long. Each of these trenches was also 1.8m wide. With the approval of Mr Membery Trenches 13, 16 and 17 were divided into two parts, their positions adjusted from the WSI to avoid overhead power lines. Trench 12 was divided into two parts to avoid a public right of way and its position was also adjusted to avoid overhead power lines. The southern end of Trench 14 was shortened for health and safety reasons, as this trench flooded with groundwater seeping in from the adjacent watercourse during excavation. All trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using a Leica 1200 series SmartRover GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2012).

1.17 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007). Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) and no deposits were identified that required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

1.18 Due to the extensive nature of archaeological remains found across the evaluation area, sample excavation of archaeological deposits was limited to that necessary to characterise them and to achieve the objectives of the exercise. Thus, sample excavation sought to avoid compromising the integrity of the archaeological remains, and to allow for their subsequent protection, or an opportunity for better excavation under the conditions pertaining to investigation of a larger area. Consequently, where multiple features of similar form were encountered, i.e. multiple ditches or pits, hand excavation was limited to investigation of examples thought sufficient to

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broadly characterise them. In addition, to further assist in dating and characterisation artefactual material was hand-collected from the surface fills of unexcavated features, where present, and such features were retained in situ and recorded in plan. The strategy was discussed and agreed with Steven Membery at a site meeting on 14 September 2012.

1.19 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Somerset County Museum under accession number TTNCM 73/2012 along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix E, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-11)

2.1 The geological substrate was predominantly very friable limestone pavement bedrock, overlain by yellow or yellow-brown superficial deposits of sandy clay. In Trenches 16, 3, 6, 8, 9, 7 and the southern halves of Trenches 10, 4 and 17 the friable limestone pavement bedrock was prevalent. In Trench 14 the natural substrate was white or yellow sandy clay that was permanently waterlogged. This was overlain by very soft brown sandy clay subsoil up to 0.5m thick. The natural substrate in the centre of Trench 20 and in the northern part of Trenches 17 and 18 was overlain by further superficial natural deposits of brown alluvial silty clay up to 0.4m thick in places. This was overlain by yellow-brown silty clay subsoil with very frequent angular limestone stones and pebbles approximately 0.2m thick. Across the majority of the trenches in the site the subsoil was 0.15m-0.25m thick. The main exceptions to this sequence were Trenches 2, 12 and 13, which are described below. The ploughsoil, a dark grey-brown silty clay with common angular limestone pebbles and grit, was typically 0.2m thick.

2.2 Trenches 5, 6, 8, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 contained no archaeological features, exhibiting only furrows, modern field drains and a live service in Trench 5. Archaeological features, in the form of layers, ditches and pits, associated with a Early to Middle Bronze Age, Middle to Late Iron Age, Roman and medieval pottery, were encountered in Trenches 1-4, 7, 9-13, 15, 18 and 19. The largest quantities of pottery were recovered from Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 13 and 15.

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Area A (Figs 2, 3 & 6-9)

Trench 1 (Figs 2, 3 & 6) 2.3 Trench 1 contained eight ditches (105, 131, 109, 111, 113, 123, 127 and 129), two narrow gullies (115 and 119), five pits or postholes (103, 107, 117, 121 and 125) and a modern ceramic land drain 139. In the north-western half of the trench broad parallel ditches 109, 111 and 113 correlated with geophysical anomaly 35, which appears to form part of what appears to be a settlement enclosure ditch. Nine sherds of shell-tempered pottery dating from the mid to late Iron Age was retrieved from 110, the uppermost fill of ditch 109. Further to the north-west ditch 131, which corresponded with geophysical anomaly 42, was excavated and found to contain four fills (135, 133, 134 and 132; Fig. 6, section BB). Pottery of Iron Age date and animal bone were recovered from the primary fill 135 and the uppermost fill 132 was re-cut by ditch 136. The primary fill 138 of this re-cut contained pottery dating to the Late Iron Age to early Roman period, while the secondary fill 137 contained pottery dating to the 2nd century AD.

2.4 At the north-western end of the trench undated narrow ditch 105 corresponded to geophysical anomaly number 72. Near the centre of the trench curvilinear narrow gully 115 was also excavated and found to contain one fill 116. Animal bone was recovered from this fill but no dating material was identified. Curvilinear gully 115, gully 119 and postholes 117 and 121 lay within the complex area of cut features number 79 identified by the geophysical survey. In the south-western part of the trench broad ditch 123 correlates with geophysical anomaly 48 and appears to form part of the same field system as the post-medieval field boundaries represented by geophysical anomaly number 49. At the south-eastern end of the trench ditch 127 was not detected by the geophysical survey, but it runs parallel with, and adjacent to ditch 129, which corresponds to geophysical linear anomaly number 49. The uppermost fills of all the archaeological features in Trench 1 were sealed by subsoil 101, which was cut by modern land drain 139 (not illustrated). The fill of this land drain 140 was sealed by topsoil 100.

Trench 2 (Figs 2, 3 & 6)

2.5 Trench 2 contained five ditches (204, 212, 216, 220 and 222) one possible ditch terminus 218 and five pits or postholes (214, 224, 226, 208 and 228) cut into the

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natural sandy clay substrate 202. At the eastern end of Trench 2 a number of particularly flat limestone slabs 233 were noted as a possible floor surface, although they may have formed part of the underlying natural limestone pavement. At the western end of the trench ditch 204 was excavated and found to contain three fills (Fig. 6, section CC). The basal fill 207 contained quantities of pottery and a small circular pot counter dating to the late 2nd century AD. This was overlain by fill 206, from which large quantities of pottery, also dating to the late 2nd century AD, and animal bone were recovered. This was sealed by the uppermost fill 205, which contained animal bone, and large quantities of pottery dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Near the centre of the trench one of the pit or postholes 208 was excavated and found to contain three fills. No artefacts were recovered from either the primary fill 211 or the secondary fill 210. However, the uppermost fill 209 contained a small quantity of animal bone and small fragments of late 2nd-century AD pottery. The uppermost fills of all the archaeological features in Trench 2 were sealed by subsoil 201, which was overlain in turn by rubble filled possible demolition horizon 203. This horizon, along with the archaeological features it sealed, corresponds to the complex area of cut features identified by the geophysical survey. The demolition horizon 203 appeared to have been disturbed toward the eastern end of the trench by a large cut 230. The redeposited natural backfill of this cut, 231, was sealed by topsoil 200.

Trench 3 (Figs 2, 3 & 6)

2.6 Trench 3 contained six ditches (351, 349, 345, 331, 313 and 359), two narrow gullys (329 and 303), eighteen pits or postholes (353, 347, 355, 343, 340, 339, 306, 370 333, 335, 325, 327, 321, 323, 317, 319, 315 and 311) and three modern field drains (357, 315 and 309 – not illustrated). All of the ditches correspond to northwest/southeast aligned linear anomalies identified by the geophysical survey except for ditch 351 at the eastern end of the trench. The two gullys and thirteen of the pits or postholes are located within the complex area of cut features number 77 identified by the geophysical survey.

2.7 Near the western end of the trench a slot was partially machined and partially hand- excavated through intercutting broad ditches 313 and 359 (Fig. 6, section DD). The earliest ditch was revealed to be 313, which contained a single fill 314. Seven sherds of shell-tempered pottery of Iron Age date was recovered from this fill, which may have been disturbed by a modern stone drain 361 on its eastern side. Fill 314

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was also cut on the western side by ditch 359, which also contained a single fill 360. Four sherds of shell-tempered pottery dating from the Middle to Late Iron Age, and animal bone, were recovered securely from the fill of this ditch. Near the centre of the trench curvilinear gully 303 was excavated and found to contain two fills (305 and 304). A sherd of Iron Age pottery was retrieved from 304, the uppermost fill of 303. Posthole 306 was excavated immediately to the north of gully 303. No artefacts were recovered from the fills of this posthole (308 and 307). However, a sherd of pottery dating from the Middle to Late Iron Age was recovered from the uppermost fill of posthole 335, one of several clustered around curvilinear gully 303. Pottery of Iron Age date was also recovered from the uppermost fill of ditches 349 and pottery dating from the late Iron Age to the Roman period was retrieved from the uppermost fill of ditch 331 near the centre of the trench. All of the archaeological features in Trench 3 were sealed by subsoil 301 and topsoil 300.

Trench 4 (Figs 2, 3 & 7)

2.8 Trench 4 contained six ditches (403, 407, 409, 416, 431 and 437), four narrow gullies (421, 423, 425 and 427), five pits or postholes (405, 412, 414, 418 and 429), one modern stone field drain 433 and the remnants of two furrows (444 and 446 – not illustrated). At the northern end of the trench ditch 437 corresponds with geophysical anomaly 37, part of the probable settlement enclosure ditch. Ditch/large pit 431 and gullies 421, 423 broadly correlate with geophysical anomaly 53. Near the centre of the trench ditches 409 and 416 correspond to geophysical linear anomaly 40. Ditch 407 almost certainly correlates with geophysical anomaly 49, which represents a former field boundary that appears on post-medieval maps. Towards the southern end of the trench shallow ditch 403 was not detected by the geophysical survey.

2.9 Ditch 403 was excavated and contained a single fill 404, from which animal bone and a single sherd of pottery dating to the Iron Age were retrieved. At the central part of the trench ditch 409 contained four fills (441, 411, 410 and 440; Fig. 7, section FF). Pieces of animal bone and 11 sherds of pottery dating to the Iron Age were retrieved from fill 410 of this ditch, which were sealed by the uppermost fill 440. To the north a smaller ditch, 416, was investigated and found to contain a single fill 417 (Fig. 7, section GG). A single sherd of Iron Age pottery was recovered from this fill. To the north, pit 418 was cut into the natural limestone pavement and contained two fills. A single sherd of probable Iron Age pottery, and animal bone,

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was recovered from the primary fill 420 and two sherds of Late Iron Age to Roman pottery was retrieved from the uppermost fill, 419. Two of the narrow gullies in the northern part of the trench were excavated but neither produced any artefacts. However, narrow gully 427 was found to cut 426, the single fill of narrow gully 425. Broad shallow pit 431 contained a number of shallow slump deposits. The earliest fill 443 was overlain by fill 448 which contained animal bone and seven sherds of pottery of Late Iron Age to early Roman date. This fill was overlain by 449, which appeared in section to be earlier than 442. The latest fill in the sequence appeared to be 432, which contained pottery dating from the Iron Age to the Roman period. At the northern end of the trench enclosure ditch 437 was found to contain two fills (437 and 439; Fig. 7, section II). Five sherds of Roman pottery dating from the 2nd century AD was recovered from the primary fill 439, and animal bone and pottery dating from the Late Iron Age to Early Roman period was also retrieved from the uppermost fill 438. This was sealed by subsoil 401, and topsoil 400.

Trenches 5, 6, and 8 (Figs 2 & 3)

2.10 Trenches 5, 6 and 8 contained no archaeological features. A modern live service ?sewer pipe, 503, was identified in the northern end of Trench 5 and a modern northeast-southwest orientated stone field drain 603 was revealed in Trench 6. The geophysical anomalies 62 and 63 were not encountered in Trench 6. In Trench 8 the anomalies detected by the geophysical survey were investigated and revealed to be geological.

Trench 7 (Figs 2, 3 & 7)

2.11 The natural substrate was cut by four/five ditches (703, 707, 709, 711 and 713) which all corresponded broadly with linear anomalies identified in the geophysical survey. At the eastern end of the trench ditch 703 was excavated and found to contain two fills (Fig. 7, section JJ). Pieces of animal bone and an iron nail were recovered from the primary fill 705, and no artefacts were recovered from the uppermost fill 704. Near the centre of the trench the natural substrate was cut by two possible intercutting ditches 707 and 709. These two ditches were not excavated, but at least one corresponds with geophysical anomaly 49, a field boundary that is recorded on historic maps. Ditches 711 and 713 corresponded to geophysical anomalies 27 and 28, and were not excavated in this trench as these anomalies were investigated in Trench 11.

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Trench 9 (Figs 2 & 3)

2.12 In Trench 9 the natural substrate 902 was cut by a narrow ditch aligned east-west. It contained a single fill 907 which included frequent snail shells but no artefacts. This fill was cut by a modern stone field drain 906. This probable drainage ditch and field drain corresponds with an east-west orientated linear anomaly identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 10 (Figs 2, 3 & 8)

2.13 Seven broad ditches (1062, 1048, 1025, 1033, 1035, 1011 and 1013), four narrow gullies (1060, 1029, 1031 (containing a single piece of fired clay) and 1007; Fig. 8, section LL) and two pits (1003 and 1005) were recorded. Ditch 1025, which did not appear to be detected by the geophysical survey near the centre of the trench, contained three fills (1024, 1023 and 1022; Fig. 8, section MM). Seven sherds of grog-tempered Early to Middle Bronze Age pottery, worked flint and animal bone were recovered from the uppermost fill 1022. This fill was cut by undated posthole/gully terminus 1019/1021 and also by the undated narrow gully terminus 1029/1027. A further four irregular linear features that are likely to represent disturbance by hedgerow/tree rooting (1038, 1040 1042 and 1046), and four modern stone field drains (1063, 1065, 1067 and 1069) were also noted. In the southern part of the trench broad deep ditch 1058 contained nine fills (Fig. 8, section KK). Two pieces of fired clay were retrieved from fill 1050, an upper fill of this ditch. Ditch 1058 correlated with linear anomaly 58 identified by the geophysical survey.

2.14 Broad ditch 1035 had a single fill 1034 containing animal bone. This fill appear to be cut in section by the adjacent parallel ditch 1033, which also appeared to cut the uppermost fill of ditch 1025 in section. The single fill of ditch 1033 contained animal bone and Roman pottery. Ditches 1033 and 1035 correlate with the wide linear anomaly number 31 identified by the geophysical survey.

2.15 In the northern part of the trench ditch 1013 contained four fills (1016, 1015, 1014 and 1017; Fig. 8, section NN). No artefacts were recovered from these fills but the uppermost fill 1016 was clearly cut in plan and in section by ditch 1011. Ditch 1011 had a single fill 1012 containing two sherds of medieval pottery dating from 12th–

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14th centuries AD. This ditch also corresponds with linear anomaly 34 identified by the geophysical survey. At the northern end of the trench 19 sherds of medieval pottery also dated to the 12th-14th centuries AD was recovered from the single fill, 1004, of pit 1003. In the northern part of the trench no finds were produced from the single fills of narrow gully 1007 or irregular gullies/rooting 1038, 1040, 1042 and 1046. In the southern part of the trench animal bone was retrieved from the single fill of narrow gully 1060, which correlates with curving anomaly 59 on the geophysical survey. Ditch 1062, which was cut by field drain 1063, was not excavated as it corresponds to ditch 903 and field drain 906 in Trench 9.

Trench 11 (Figs 2, 3 & 9)

2.16 Trench 11 contained seven ditches (1103, 1120, 1108, 1106, 1122, 1113 and 1110), one pit or posthole 1126 and two modern stone field drains 1124 and 1116 (not illustrated). Two geological deposits 1129 and 1119 were also investigated in this trench. In the western half of the trench ditch 1122 contained a single fill 1123. This ditch correlates with linear anomaly 55 identified by the geophysical survey. Pottery and a worked flint blade of Early to Middle Bronze Age date were retrieved from this fill, along with a quantity of animal bone. At the western end of the trench shallow undated deposit 1112 was cut by ditch 1110 (Fig. 9, section OO). The ditch contained a single undated fill 1111. Ditch 1113, which was aligned parallel to ditch 1110, also contained a single undated fill 1114 (Fig. 9, section PP). Both ditches correspond to the parallel linear anomalies 27 and 28 identified by the geophysical survey, and recorded in plan in Trench 7 (ditches 711 and 713).

2.17 In the eastern half of the trench ditch 1120, correlating with geophysical anomaly 30, was excavated and found to contain a single fill 1121. Fragments of animal bone were retrieved from this fill. A little further to the west ditch 1106 contained two fills 1115 and 1107 (Fig. 9, section QQ). The primary fill 1115 contained animal bone and frequent snail shells, while the secondary fill 1107 contained a single sherd of Iron Age pottery, as well as animal bone. Fill 1107 appeared was cut by adjacent parallel ditch 1108, which contained a single fill 1109. Fill 1109 produced fragments of animal bone but no dateable material. The positions of ditches 1106 and 1108 appear to match the location of geophysical anomaly 82. Slightly to the south of ditch 1108 pit or posthole 1126 was excavated and contained a single undated fill 1127. At the eastern end of the trench ditch 1103, which was not detected by geophysical survey, contained two fills 1104 and 1105 (Fig. 9, section RR). Animal

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bone and frequent snail shells were found within the primary silting fill 1104 and three sherds of Roman pottery were recovered from the secondary fill 1105 in this ditch.

Area B (Figs 2, 4, 10 & 11) Trench 12 (Figs 2 & 4)

2.18 In the northern part of Trench 12 the natural substrate 1202 was cut by a circular pit 1203 containing a single undated fill, 1204, and by a very shallow probable furrow 1205. These features were sealed by the subsoil 1201, and topsoil 1200. In the southern part of the trench the natural substrate was overlain by a series of dumped deposits. The earliest of these deposits, 1209 was overlain by both gravel deposit 1210 and by silty clay deposit 1208. There was no relationship in section between 1208 and 1210; however 1208 broadly corresponds with the subsoil horizon 1201 in the northern part of the trench. Both 1210 and 1209 were sealed by rubble filled horizon 1207, which in turn was sealed by the modern topsoil 1200 in the southern part of Trench 12. A fragment of medieval glazed roof tile dating from 13th-15th centuries AD was found within this horizon. No other dating material was recovered from these deposits, which correspond with a series of anomalies identified by the geophysical survey in this trench.

Trench 13 (Figs 2, 4 & 10)

2.19 In the eastern half of Trench 13 a stratigraphic sequence was identified which correlated with geophysical anomaly 93 (Fig. 10, section TT). The earliest features in this sequence were two narrow ditches or gullys, 1329 and 1327, which cut the natural substrate 1302. The single undated fills of 1329 and 1327 were sealed by deposit 1321, which in turn was overlain by deposit 1320. These deposits appear to have been cut by probable furrow 1325, which contained three fills; 1324, 1323 and 1322. Fragments of animal bone were recovered from the primary fill 1324. The uppermost fill 1322 was sealed by subsoil horizon 1301. The subsoil horizon was cut by broad ditch 1319, which contained seven fills. Lower fill 1318 contained a corroded iron bar, fill 1314 six sherds of 12th to 14th-century pottery, and upper fill, 1313, two sherds also of 12th-14th century date. This was subsequently cut by ditch 1312. Two sherds of 12th-14th century pottery were recovered from the primary fill, 1311, of this ditch, while the uppermost fill 1310 was cut by what appeared to be a foundation trench, 1309, for possible rubble wall 1308. The remnants of rubble wall

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1308 were overlain by rubble stone deposits 1307 and 1306 which were in turn sealed by topsoil 1300 in this part of the trench.

2.20 To the east of this stratigraphic sequence a broad northwest-southeast aligned ditch 1303 cut the natural substrate (Fig. 10, section SS). It contained a single undated fill 1304 and correlated with a linear anomaly identified by the geophysical survey. Towards the eastern end of the trench a possible narrow ditch terminus 1330, was excavated and found to contain a single undated fill 1331. In the western half of Trench 13 the natural substrate 1302 was cut by a series of furrows, orientated northwest-southeast, one of which (1338, fill 1337) produced a single sherd pottery dating from the 14th-16th century.

Trench 14 (Figs 2 & 4)

2.21 In Trench 14 the natural substrate 1402 appeared to have been cut by a large pit or pond 1403 near the centre of the trench. This possible feature was backfilled with loose rubble, 1403, and correlates with anomalies identified by geophysical survey. It was not excavated as the trench was waterlogged and flooded from groundwater seeping up from the watercourse to the south during machine excavation.

Area C (Figs 2, 5 & 11) Trenches 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 (Figs 2 & 5)

2.22 Trenches 16, 17, 21 and 22 contained no archaeological features. Trench 18 contained narrow ditch or furrow 1805, which was aligned southwest-northeast. It contained a single fill, 1806, from which animal bone was recovered. A modern stone field drain 1803 was revealed to correspond with geophysical anomaly 23, while a layer of silty clay subsoil was found to correspond to the geophysical anomaly 25 in the northern part of the trench. Trench 20 contained the narrow ditch or furrow 2004 that correlated to geophysical anomaly 8. A sherd of 13th to 14th- century pottery was recovered from the single fill. A layer of natural silty clay, approximately 0.35m thick, corresponding to the geophysical anomaly 25 was also encountered in the middle of Trench 20. This horizon was excavated by machine within the trench. Geophysical anomaly 22 in Trench 22 proved to correspond to a geological outcrop of limestone bedrock.

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Trench 15 (Figs 2, 5 & 11)

2.23 Trench 15 contained six broad ditches (1503, 1520, 1511, 1506, 1508 and 1526), three narrow ditches (1516, 1514 and 1530) and five probable plough scars or furrows (1523, 1518, 1524, 1532 and 1534). Near the centre of the trench two parallel narrow gullys 1514 and 1516 broadly correspond with geophysical anomaly 21. Gully 1516 terminated within the trench and had a single fill 1517 containing fragments of animal bone. In section it appeared to be contemporary with adjacent gully 1514, which also had a single fill 1515 containing animal bone. The size and alignment of these two ditches suggest that they are both broadly contemporary with narrow gully 1530 in the eastern part of the trench. The single fill of gully 1530 contained animal bone and was cut by broad ditch 1526 (Fig. 11, section WW). Ditch 1526 correlates with anomaly 6 on the geophysical survey and contained three fills (1529, 1528 and 1527). Animal bone and fired clay was recovered from the uppermost fill 1527.

2.24 Near the centre of the trench ditch 1508 was excavated and contained two fills (1510 and 1509; Fig. 11, section VV). A sherd of 12th to 14th-century pottery was recovered from the uppermost fill 1509 suggests that this ditch had been backfilled by this time. Fill 1509 appeared to be cut by ditch 1506 which also had two fills 1507 and 1505. Animal bone and 16 sherds of pottery dating from 13th-15th centuries AD was also retrieved from 1505, the uppermost fill of ditch 1506. Fill 1519, the single fill of a possible gully 1518, appeared to be cut in section by ditch 1511 (Fig. 11, section UU). Both of these features were located slightly to the west of ditches 1508 and 1506. Ditch 1511 had three fills (1536, 1513 and 1512) and 17 sherds of pottery dating from 12th-14th centuries AD, together with animal bone and slag, were recovered from the upper fills of this ditch (1513 and 1512. The position of ditches 1511, 1508 and 1506 all broadly correlate with linear anomaly 4 identified by the geophysical survey; which also corresponds to ditch 1905 in trench 19. At the western end of the trench ditch 1503 corresponded with anomaly 18 on the geophysical survey. A single sherd of medieval pottery dating from the 12th to 14th centuries was recovered from the single fill 1504. Further to the east ditch 1520 also had a single fill 1521 containing a fragment of fired clay and animal bone. Ditch 1520 corresponds with anomaly 5 identified by the geophysical survey. Four narrow, shallow gullys broadly orientated north-south were investigated in the trench (1522, 1524, 1532 and 1534). Each contained a single fill but produced no artefacts. The size and orientation of these gullies suggests that they are likely to represent

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continuations of the anomaly 8, probable furrows or ploughscars. The pottery sherd recovered from 2004/5 in Trench 20, and the stratigraphic relationship between ditch 1511 and gully 1518, suggests that these potentially date to the medieval period.

Trench 19 (Figs 2, 5 & 11)

2.25 Trench 19 contained three broad ditches (1905, 1915 and 1917), three narrow gullys (1903, 1907 and 1909) and two possible other features (1913 and 1911). The natural substrate 1902 was cut in the eastern part of the trench by two narrow undated gullys or plough scars 1903 and 1907 that were aligned northwest- southeast. Each of these features contained a single undated fill; 1904 and 1908 respectively. The natural substrate was also cut by broad ditch 1905 which correlated with anomaly 4 on the geophysical survey (Fig. 11, section YY). The ditch had a single fill, 1906, which contained a single sherd of pottery dating to the 13th to 15th century, animal bone, a piece of worked flint and snail shells. Near the centre of the trench the natural substrate was cut by a possible curvilinear feature 1913, which contained a single fill 1914. This fill was cut by broad ditch 1915, which contained two fills 1916 and 1919. Animal bone was recovered from the primary fill 1916 of this ditch. Immediately to the west of this ditch the natural substrate was cut by broad ditch 1917, which also contained two fills 1918 and 1920. The primary fill of this ditch, 1918 also contained animal bone. Both ditches 1915 and 1917 had a northeast-southwest orientation, and correlated with geophysical anomaly 3. At the western end of the trench the natural substrate was cut by undated possible pit or tree-throw 1911. The single fill of this feature, 1912, was cut by a very shallow ditch or furrow 1909. This ditch or furrow was aligned east-west and corresponded with anomaly 2 on the geophysical survey. It contained a single undated fill 1912.

The Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence

2.26 The finds recovered from the evaluation are summarised in Appendix B. The pottery assemblage consisted of 380 sherds weighing 3349g. In addition vessel glass, ceramic building material, fired clay, stone and worked lithic material was recovered. The assemblage was recovered from 53 stratified contexts and as unstratified finds. The assemblage could be dated, predominantly, to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and medieval periods. The level of preservation was good with the majority of the pottery exhibiting negligible levels of abrasion. Where mentioned, the Dorset

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Black-burnished ware vessel forms are referenced to Seager-Smith and Davies (1993).

Pottery

2.27 Bronze Age Sherds of Bronze Age pottery were recovered from two deposits, with seven sherds from deposit 1022 (13g) and a further four from deposit 1123 (19g). The sherds from deposit 1022 were of a thick-walled grog-tempered fabric for which Early Middle to Bronze Age dating is probable. Similar dating is likely for sherds in a grog and crushed shell-tempered fabric from deposit 1123.

Iron Age and Early Roman 2.28 The Iron Age and Early Roman pottery consisted of 112 sherds weighing 810g. The dominant fabric types were shell-tempered and black sandy wares, with the black sandy wares being consistent with fabrics produced during the Late Iron Age and Early Roman period. Further fabrics included limestone-tempered sherds from deposits 304, 360, 362, 417 and 448; sandy oxidised wares from deposits 332 and 360, and an oxidised grog and limestone-tempered sherd from deposit 410.

2.29 Identifiable vessel forms included a jar in a shell-tempered fabric from deposit 110. This vessel has a simple upright, flattened rim and considered of Middle to Late Iron Age date. A vessel from deposit 362, which occurs in a black sandy fabric, is of globular from with a bead-like rim and typical of the Late Iron Age or mid 1st century AD.

Roman 2.30 Roman pottery amounted to 183 sherds weighing 1911g. The dominant fabric was Dorset Black-burnished ware with the largest number of sherds recorded from ditch fills 205, 206 and 207. The prevailing Black-burnished ware vessel form consists of Type 2 jars (Seager Smith and Davies, 1993) of 2nd to 4th-century date. Other identifiable fabrics included sherds of central Gaulish samian ware of 2nd-century date. The samian sherds were recorded from deposits 137, 205, with a highly abraded sherd from deposit 206. Deposits 205 and 207 also contain residual sherds from Type1 jars (ibid) of 1st to 2nd-century date. Deposit 205 also contained sherds from Type 20 dishes (ibid), providing a terminus post quem of the late 2nd century for deposits 205, 206, 207 and 209.

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2.31 Reduced and oxidised coarsewares of uncertain but probably fairly local origin were recorded from a number of deposits. The dating of this material is necessarily broad. Fine oxidised sherds were recorded from deposits 209 and 1132, with a sherd in a coarse sandy fabric from deposit 137. Sandy greywares were noted from deposits 205, 206 and 1105, and a fine micaceous sandy ware from deposits 205 and 206.

Medieval 2.32 The medieval pottery assemblage amounted to 79 sherds weighing 648g. The majority of the sherds occur in sandy fabrics, including likely south Somerset wares. Variations in the sandy fabrics included inclusions of limestone, black sand, and flint/chert. The majority of the sherds were from undecorated jars, typical of cooking pots produced during the 12th to 14th centuries. Only a few featured sherds were recorded, with an everted rim from deposit 1512, a thickened everted rim from deposit 505 and developed rims from deposits 1311 and 1313.

2.33 Only three glazed sherds were, recovered, from deposits 1902, 1906 and 2005 and all in oxidised sandy fabrics. All were probable jug sherds of south Somerset type that could only be attributed a broad date range of 13th to 15th century. A further oxidised glazed sandy ware sherd, from deposit 1337, may have been of similar date, though the glaze was similar to those noted on similar vessels of early post- medieval date.

Other artefacts

Glass 2.34 A fragment of blue vessel glass, from a Roman square bottle, was retrieved from deposit 130.

Pottery and stone objects 2.35 A flat circular disc shaped from a greyware pottery sherd of Roman date was retrieved from deposit 207 (Ra1). It features a hole drilled through the middle and was probably a gaming piece or token though the centralized hole would permit it to be used as a spindlewhorl. A shaped flat circular stone was recovered as an unstratified find and was also a intended as gaming piece or token.

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Ceramic building material 2.36 A single piece of ceramic roof tile was recorded from deposit 1200. It was of glazed medieval type of 13th to 15th-century date.

Fired clay 2.37 A small quantity of fired clay was recorded with the majority of the pieces being unfeatured, and could not be identified further. Three pieces from deposits 1512 and 1517 were highly vitrified indicating that the pieces had been exposed to an extended period of high heat, possibly as part of a hearth or an unidentified industrial purpose. Pieces of fired clay from deposit 206 featured a relatively smooth oxidised outer surface over a reduced core. This has previously been noted on fragments of handmade loom weights of Iron Age and Roman date and may indicate textile manufacturing during those periods on site. A further piece of fired clay, with organic inclusions, was recovered from deposit 207 and may be structural daub.

Lithic material 2.38 Flint flakes were retrieved from deposits 1022, 1527 and 1906 and could only be broadly dated to the prehistoric period. A further flake and flint blade were recovered from deposit 1123, in association with pottery of Early to Middle Bronze Age date.

The molluscs 2.39 Hand-collected material from ditches 1108, 1304, 1808 and 1905 totaled 16 fragments weighing 79.55g (Appendix C, Table 1). Species identified include common snail (Helix aspersa) and white-lipped snail (Cepaea hortensis), both of which were recovered in ditches 1108, 1805 and 1905 with just the common snail identified in ditch 1304. These species are found living in sheltered habitats hidden in long grass/areas of leaf litter or in areas of waste ground (Kerney 1999, 203-206). Helix spp are known to have been consumed in the past, however the small assemblage recovered means it is not possible to ascertain whether they were eaten or just make up part of the background fauna on the site.

Animal bone 2.40 Animal bone was recovered from 45 contexts (Appendix C, Table 2), and amounted to a total of 412 fragments weighing 3,795.87g. The bones were moderately well preserved and fragmented. The material was identified to species and skeletal elements with the aid of a bone reference collection (Cotswold Archaeology Ltd),

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and quantified by fragment count (NISP), minimum number of individuals (MNI) and weight (g). The bones are contextually dated to the Iron Age/Early Roman period.

2.41 Five species were identified. Cattle (Bos taurus) and caprovine (Ovis aries sive Capra hircus) bones dominated the assemblage, and were present in 26 contexts each. Both included elements from meat rich and meat poor body regions (Appendix C, Table 3). The pig (Sus sp.) bones comprised only six fragments, derived from a minimum of two animals. A total of eleven horse (Equus caballus) bones and teeth were also present in the assemblage, all from a minimum of one mature animal. Additionally, eleven bones of dog (Canis familiaris) were present. These were all found in the same context (1121) and derive from the same skeleton. The remains comprise four lumbar vertebrae, two rib fragments, one scapula, left and right coxae, a femur fragment and a complete astragalus.

2.42 The animal bones indicate that beef and mutton are likely to have contributed more than pork to the local diet. The find of an incomplete dog skeleton in context 1121 may indicate the presence of a pet burial that had been truncated or possibly the simple discarding of a putrefying carcass.

3. DISCUSSION

Prehistoric 3.1 The evaluation revealed evidence of Early to Middle Bronze Age, Middle to Late Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval activity within the site. In general, the earliest activity appears to be concentrated in the northern part of Area A during the Early to Middle Bronze Age, where ditches detected as weak anomalies by the geophysical survey (anomalies 55 and 59), and excavated in Trenches 10 and 11, may represent elements of a field system or enclosure. By the Middle to Late Iron Age a settlement enclosure, covering an area of at least 3ha and depicted clearly by the preceding geophysical survey as a series of rectilinear enclosures with a trackway leading to an entrance in the northwest, had been established in the southern part of Area A. The evaluation demonstrated that curvilinear gullies, pits and postholes, representing the probable remains of roundhouses and other domestic structures, survive within the internal plots of the large enclosure. Undated ditches within Trenches 13 and 15 may represent a continuation of prehistoric or Roman activity in the eastern part of Area B and south-east of Area C. In Somerset,

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with the notable exception of the Lake Villages, relatively little is known about non- hillfort Iron Age settlements (Webster et al 2008, 130), and therefore the Iron Age settlement identified here has potential regional significance.

Roman 3.2 There is evidence for activity in the Roman period within Area A, and it is possible the large Iron Age settlement enclosure continued in use, or at least was utilised again as an area for settlement, until at least the late 2nd century, and possibly into the late Roman period, based upon the presence of Dorset Black-Burnished ware pottery in Trenches 1 and 2. Evidence from Trench 2 suggests some form of textile manufacture or processing may have been occurring in the vicinity, although the quantities of artefactual material are too small to draw a firm conclusion. The presence of Roman material in Trenches 10 and 11 suggests further Roman activity, possibly in the form of an associated field system or enclosure, of which geophysical anomalies 31 and 32 may form part. The present evaluation site lies just 400m to the north of a Roman Villa at Melbury (CA 2011), and the late Roman activity here may therefore be contemporary with the Villa.

Medieval and post-medieval 3.3 In the medieval period there is evidence for activity in the form of ditched enclosures and probable strip fields with furrows or plough scars in the north-east of Area A, Area B and the eastern half of Area C. Within Area B a possible small rectilinear enclosure, depicted on the geophysical survey, appears to date to the 12th to 14th century. In the post-medieval period the site probably lay largely outside of the developed urban area, although a possible rubble wall foundation was identified within the area of the small rectilinear enclosure in Area B. The wall could relate to the house that was believed to have been present in Wall Close, and burned down in the early 20th century (CA 2011). The various dumped deposits recorded in Trench 12 appear to have been laid down relatively recently and may have been formed as a result the construction of the watercourse to the south, or possibly even by the construction of the housing estate immediately to the east. Ditches 129, 707 and 709 identified during the evaluation correlate with linear anomalies recorded by the geophysical survey and relate to field boundaries depicted on historic maps. The orientation of ditch 123, which corresponded to geophysical anomaly 48, suggests that it is likely to have formed part of the same post-medieval field system but was removed prior to the Somerton Enclosure Map of 1806. Numerous modern field drains were also noted during the evaluation.

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4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Diarmuid O Seaneachain, assisted by Roy Poulter, Jerry Stone, Noel Bothroyd, Anthony Beechey and Matt Brooks. The report was written by Diarmuid O Seaneachain, with finds report by Angus Crawford, molluscs by Sarah Cobain and animal bone by Jonny Geber. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Diarmuid O Seaneachain and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.

5. REFERENCES

AC Archaeology 2000 The Demolition of a Cottage and the Construction of Three Dwellings at St Cleers Lodge, Somerton Report No. 0601/0/1

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2012 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology_viewer_google/googleviewer.html (accessed 24 September 2012).

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation.

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset: Heritage Desk- based Assessment, CA Report No. 11038

Hollinrake, C and N 1992 Archaeological Impact Assessment: St Cleers Farm, Somerton

Hollinrake, C and N 1997 An Archaeological Watching Brief at St Cleers Farm, Somerton Report 102

Kerney, M. 1999 Atlas of the land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and Ireland Essex, Harley Books

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Seager-Smith, R. and Davies, S.M., 1993 ‘Black-burnished ware and other southern British coarsewares’ in Woodward et al 1993, 229-289.

Stratascan 2011 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset: Geophysical Survey Report. Stratascan Job No. J2990-01

Stratascan 2011 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset: Geophysical Survey Report. Stratascan Job No. J2990-02

Webster 2008: Webster, C.J. (ed) 2008 The Archaeology of South West England South West Archaeological Research Framework Resource Assessment and Research Agenda. Somerset County Council

Woodward, PJ, Davies, SM. and Graham, AH, 1993 ‘Excavations at the Old Methodist Chapel and Greyhound Yard, Dorchester 1981-1984. Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society Monograph Series: Number 12.

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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 100 Layer Topsoil: dark brown sandy clay 0.2 Modern 101 Layer Subsoil: greyish-yellow sandy clay 0.1 Modern 102 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay with frequent >0.3 patches of limestone pavement/shattered limestone 103 Cut Cut of pit (cuts subsoil) 0.25 0.25 0.09 104 Fill Single fill of 103, orange-red sand 0.09 105 Cut Cut of narrow gully >1.8 n/e 106 Fill Top fill of 105, light brown silty clay with limestone 0.34 n/e fragments 107 Cut Cut of circular pit/posthole 0.55 n/e 108 Fill Top fill of 107, orange-brown sandy clay 0.55 n/e 109 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned ditch >1.9 1.1 n/e 110 Fill Top fill of 109; dark brown sandy silt and cobbles >1.9 1.1 n/e M-LIA 111 Cut Cut of NE/SW ditch parallel to 110 >1.9 1.2 n/e 112 Fill Top fill of 111; light brown silty clay >1.9 1.2 n/e 113 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.6 n/e 114 Fill Top fill of 113; light brown sandy silt and limestone >1.9 1.6 n/e cobbles 115 Cut Cut of curvilinear narrow gully 5 0.42 0.14 116 Fill Single fill of 115; grey-brown silty clay 5 0.42 0.14 117 Cut Cut of circular pit/posthole 0.45 n/e 118 Fill Top fill of 117; dark brown silty sand 0.45 n/e 119 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned narrow gully 1.7 0.4 n/e 120 Fill Top fill of 119; loose brown sandy silt 1.7 0.4 n/e 121 Cut Cut of oval pit 1.1 0.7 n/e 122 Fill Top fill of 121; dark brown silty clay 1.1 0.7 n/e 123 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned broad ditch >1.9 2.2 n/e 124 Fill Top fill of 123; mid-brown silty clay >1.9 2.2 n/e 125 Cut Cut of sub-circular pit/posthole 0.7 n/e 126 Fill Top fill of 125; mid-brown silty clay 0.7 n/e 127 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned ditch >1.9 0.8 n/e 128 Fill Top fill of 127; mid-brown silty clay >1.9 0.8 n/e 129 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned ditch >1.9 2.3 n/e 130 Fill Top fill of 129; dark brown sandy silt and clay >1.9 2.3 n/e RB 131 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.2 1.2 LIA- ERB 132 Fill Uppermost fill of 131; mid-brown sandy silt 0.6 0.25 133 Fill Primary slump fill of 131; brown-yellow sandy silt 0.45 0.15 134 Fill Tertiary fill of 131; dark brown silty clay 0.4 0.56 135 Fill Secondary fill of 131; grey-yellow clayey sand 0.6 0.35 136 Cut Possible re-cut of ditch 131 1.1 0.7 137 Fill Secondary fill of 136; dark grey-black clayey silt 0.7 0.45 138 Fill Primary fill of 136; grey-brown silty clay 0.7 0.4 139 Cut Cut of modern red ceramic land drain 0.15 0.2 140 Fill Fill of 139; includes red ceramic pipe 0.15 0.2

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Trench 2

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 200 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.5 angular pebbles 201 Layer Subsoil: yellow-brown sandy clay and very frequent 0.1 limestone stones and pebbles 202 Layer Natural substrate: limestone pavement and yellow >0.9 sandy clay bpgl 203 Layer Possible demolition layer: frequent angular 0.3 limestone rubble stones and slabs in a light grey sandy clay matrix 204 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1.34 0.56 205 Fill Top fill of 204; mid brown sandy clay with very 0.2 LC2-4 frequent small angular stones 206 Fill Secondary fill of 204; pea green clay with common 0.26 LC2-4 small stones and grit 207 Fill Primary fill of 204; greyish clay with pebbles and grit 0.24 LC2-4 208 Cut Cut of pit or posthole 0.7 0.55 0.16 209 Fill Top fill of 208; dark grey-brown clay 0.04 LC2-4 210 Fill Secondary fill of 208; green-brown clay 0.1 211 Fill Primary fill of 208; orange-brown sandy clay with 0.04 grey mottling 212 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 0.63 213 Fill Top fill of 212; light grey sandy clay with common 0.63 stones (not excavated) 214 Cut Cut of possible sub-circular pit 0.45 215 Fill Top fill of 214; light grey sandy clay 0.75 0.45 216 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 0.5 217 Fill Top fill of 216; light grey-brown sandy clay with 0.5 occasional small stones (not excavated) 218 Cut Cut of pit/ditch terminus 0.75 0.4 219 Fill Top fill of 218; dark grey silty clay (not excavated) 0.4 220 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 0.7 221 Fill Top fill of 220; dark grey-brown silty clay with 0.7 common stones (not excavated) 222 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 0.8 223 Fill Top fill of 222; dark grey-brown silty clay with 0.8 frequent angular stones (not excavated) 224 Cut Cut of sub-circular posthole 0.65 0.6 225 Fill Top fill of 224; yellow-grey sandy clay and common 0.65 0.6 stones (not excavated) 226 Cut Cut of sub-circular pit or posthole 0.6 0.55 227 Fill Top fill of 226; yellow-grey sandy clay and common 0.6 0.55 stones (not excavated) 228 Cut Cut of sub-circular pit or posthole 0.6 0.4 229 Fill Top fill of 228; yellow-grey sandy clay and common 0.6 0.4 stones (not excavated) 230 Cut Cut of possible modern disturbance (1992 test pit?) 6 >1.9 0.4 231 Fill Fill of 230; redeposited natural yellow clay and 6 >1.9 0.4 limestone slabs 232 Cut Possible floor surface/geological limestone paving 1.7 0.7 233 Fill Limestone floor slabs/geological limestone paving 1.7 0.7 (not fully excavated)

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Trench 3

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 300 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 301 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.22 angular small stones and pebbles 302 Layer Natural substrate: Limestone pavement (shattered >0.4 and very friable) and a thin layer of yellow sandy clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones 303 Cut Cut of curvilinear narrow gully >4.9 0.3 0.17 304 Fill Top fill of 303 dark brown/black silty clay >4.9 0.3 0.06 IA 305 Fill Primary fill of 303; brown clayey silt >4.9 0.2 0.11 306 Cut Cut of sub-circular post-hole 0.52 0.42 0.27 307 Fill Top fill of 306; dark brown/black silty clay 0.52 0.42 0.11 308 Fill Primary fill of 306; green-brown sandy clay 0.52 0.42 0.16 309 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned field drain >2.5 0.6 n/e 310 Fill Top fill of 309; yellow-brown clay >2.5 0.6 n/e 311 Cut Cut of circular pit 0.4 n/e 312 Fill Top fill of 311; brown silty clay with reddish edges 0.4 n/e 313 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 314 Fill Top fill of 313; grey silty clay 0.3 n/e IA 315 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 316 Fill Top fill of 315; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 317 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 318 Fill Top fill of 317; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 319 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 320 Fill Top fill of 313; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 321 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 322 Fill Top fill of 321; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 323 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 324 Fill Top fill of 323; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 325 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 326 Fill Top fill of 325; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 327 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 328 Fill Top fill of 327; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 329 Cut Cut of N/S aligned narrow gully >2.3 0.3 n/e 330 Fill Top fill of 329; dark grey-brown silty clay and >2.3 0.3 n/e cobbles 331 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.8 n/e 332 Fill Top fill of 331; grey-brown silty clay and cobbles >1.9 0.8 n/e LIA-RB 333 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 334 Fill Top fill of 333; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e 335 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 336 Fill Top fill of 335; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e M-LIA 337 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 338 Fill Top fill of 337; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e 339 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 340 Fill Top fill of 339; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e 341 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 342 Fill Top fill of 341; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e

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343 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.35 n/e 344 Fill Top fill of 343; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.35 n/e 345 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 2.7 n/e 346 Fill Top fill of 345; dark grey-brown silty clay >1.9 2.7 n/e 347 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.25 n/e 348 Fill Top fill of 347 0.25 n/e 349 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1 n/e 350 Fill Top fill of 349; dark grey-brown silty clay >1.9 1 n/e IA 351 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.4 n/e 352 Fill Top fill of 351; dark grey-brown silty clay >1.9 0.4 n/e 353 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.4 n/e 354 Fill Top fill of 353; brown silty clay 0.4 n/e 355 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.5 n/e 356 Fill Top fill of 355; dark brown silty clay and cobbles 0.5 n/e 357 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned modern stone drain 0.4 n/e 358 Fill Top fill of 357; clean loosely packed angular cobbles 0.4 n/e 359 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 4 0.5 360 Fill Single fill of 359; green-brown silty clay, firm >1.9 4 0.5 M-LIA 361 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned modern stone field drain >5 0.4 0.3 362 Fill Fill of 361; loosely packed cobbles in brown silt clay >5 0.4 0.3 LIA- ERB

Trench 4

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 400 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.22 angular pebbles 401 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.15 angular small stones and pebbles 402 Layer Natural substrate: limestone pavement (shattered >0.35 and very friable) and/or yellow sandy clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones 403 Cut Cut of E/W aligned broad ditch >1.9 1.8 0.2 404 Fill Single fill of 403; grey-brown sandy silt 1.8 0.2 IA 405 Cut Cut of sub-circular pit 0.4 406 Fill Top fill of 405; dark grey sandy clay 0.4 407 Cut Cut of E/W ditch >1.9 1.2 n/e 408 Fill Top fill of 407; brown silty clay 1.2 n/e 409 Cut Cut of broad E/W aligned ditch >1.9 1.95 0.7 410 Fill Tertiary fill of 409; grey-brown silty clay 1.6 0.4 IA 411 Fill Secondary fill of 409; green-grey silty clay 0.95 0.3 412 Cut Cut of circular pit or posthole 0.4 n/e 413 Fill Top fill of 412; grey sandy clay 0.25 n/e 414 Cut Cut of circular pit or posthole 0.25 n/e 415 Fill Top fill of 414; grey sandy clay n/e 416 Cut Cut of E/W aligned broad ditch >1.9 0.9 0.35 417 Fill Single fill of 416; green-grey silty clay 0.9 0.35 IA 418 Cut Cut of sub-oval pit 1.2 0.9 0.4 419 Fill Top fill of 418; grey-brown sandy clay 0.9 0.3 LIA-RB 420 Fill Primary fill of 418; yellow silty clay 0.4 0.15 ?IA

29 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

421 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned narrow gully >2.5 0.4 n/e 422 Fill Top fill of 421; dark brown sandy clay and cobbles >2.5 0.4 n/e 423 Cut Cut of E/W aligned narrow gully >1.9 0.2 n/e 424 Fill Top fill of 423; brown silty clay >1.9 0.2 n/e 425 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow gully 9 0.3 0.05 426 Fill Single fill of 425; grey-brown silty clay 9 0.3 0.05 427 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow gully >3.1 0.28 0.09 428 Fill Top fill of 427; dark brown silty clay with frequent >3.1 0.28 0.09 gravel 429 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.3 n/e 430 Fill Top fill of 429; dark brown silty clay 0.3 n/e 431 Cut Cut of E/W aligned shallow ditch or large pit >1.9 1.8 0.19 432 Fill Uppermost fill of 431 dark grey sandy clay 1.6 0.18 LIA-RB 433 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned modern stone field drain >4.5 0.3 n/e 434 Fill Top fill of 433;loosely compacted angular cobbles 0.3 n/e 435 Cut Void – same as 437 n/e 436 Fill Void – same as 438 n/e 437 Cut Cut of E/W aligned enclosure ditch >1.9 1.56 0.48 438 Fill Top fill of 437; dark grey-brown silty clay 1.56 0.26 LIA- ERB 439 Fill Primary fill of 437; green-brown silty clay 0.22 C2-4 440 Fill Top fill of 409; grey-brown clayey silt 1.95 0.18 441 Fill Primary fill of 409; orange-grey sandy silt 0.5 0.6 442 Fill Fourth fill of 431; green-brown silty clay 1.6 0.13 443 Fill Primary fill of 431; yellow-brown silty clay 0.7 0.08 444 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow 1.1 0.1 445 Fill Fill of 444; grey sandy clay frequent angular cobbles 1.1 0.1 446 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow 0.8 0.1 447 Fill Fill of 445; grey sandy clay and frequent angular 0.8 0.1 cobbles 448 Fill Secondary fill of 431; green-grey sandy clayey silt 1.9 0.17 LIA- ERB 449 Fill Tertiary fill of 431; yellow-brown stony clay 0.9 0.25

Trench 5

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 500 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 501 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.15 angular small stones and pebbles 502 Layer Natural substrate: Limestone pavement (shattered >0.35 and very friable) and a thin layer of yellow sandy bpgl clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones 503 Cut Cut of modern service aligned NE/SW >2 0.4 n/e 504 Fill Top fill of 503, clean grey gravel, contained a live >0.2 red ceramic wastewater? service pipe (not fully excavated)

Trench 6

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date

30 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

600 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.25 angular pebbles 601 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.15 angular small stones and pebbles 602 Layer Natural substrate: Limestone pavement (shattered >0.4 and very friable) and a thin layer of yellow sandy bpgl clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones 603 Cut Cut NE/SW aligned modern stone field drain >15 0.3 n/e 604 Fill Top fill of 603, redeposited natural yellow clay 0.3 0.1 605 Fill Fill of 603, loose clean limestone stones of drain 0.3 n/e (not fully excavated)

Trench 7

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 700 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 701 Layer Subsoil: light brown sandy clay with frequent 0.15 pebbles and small stones 702 Layer Natural substrate: limestone pavement and yellow >0.35 sandy clay bpgl 703 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.62 0.35 704 Fill Top fill of 703; dark brown silty clay, friable >1.9 0.62 0.1 705 Fill Primary fill of 703; sticky greenish-yellow silty clay 0.45 0.15 706 Deposit Probable geological deposit; irregular reddish sandy 1.4 0.9 n/e clay 707 Cut Cut of large NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 3 n/e 708 Fill Top fill of 707; light brown sandy clay and common 3 n/e stones 709 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch (historic field boundary) >1.9 1.3 n/e 710 Fill Top fill of 709; dark grey sandy clay, contains rotted 1.3 n/e timber post 711 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1 n/e 712 Fill Top fill of 711; brown sandy clay 1 n/e 713 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.95 n/e 714 Fill Top fill of 713; yellow-brown sandy clay 0.95 n/e

Trench 8

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 800 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.23 angular pebbles 801 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.12 angular small stones and pebbles 802 Layer Natural substrate: Limestone pavement (shattered >035 and very friable) and a thin layer of yellow sandy bpgl clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones

Trench 9

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 900 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles

31 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

901 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.13 angular small stones and pebbles 902 Layer Natural substrate: Limestone pavement (shattered >0.33 and very friable) and a thin layer of yellow sandy bpgl clay with common angular limestone pebbles and stones 903 Cut Cut of E/W aligned ditch >2.45 0.95 0.5 904 Fill Top fill of 903; clean yellow-brown sandy clay and 0.95 0.2 silt 905 Fill Primary fill of 903; mottled brown silty clay with 0.55 0.30 common small angular pebbles and snail shells 906 Cut Cut of modern E/W stone land drain 0.48 0.25 907 Fill Top fill of 906 white-yellow redeposited natural 0.48 n/e sandy clay overlying loose rubble stones of land drain

Trench 10

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1000 Layer Topsoil: grey-brown clayey silt with common angular 0.2 pebbles and small stones 1001 Layer Subsoil: Grey-brown sandy clay with common 0.15 angular limestone pebbles 1002 Layer Natural Substrate: orange clayey sand in northern >0.4 part of the trench, limestone paving in the southern part of the trench 1003 Cut Cut of oval pit 0.95 0.17 1004 Fill Single fill of 1003; grey-brown clayey silt 0.95 0.17 C12-14 1005 Cut Cut of irregular possible pit/ tree throw 1.7 0.4 0.1 1006 Fill Single fill of 1005; mid grey silty clay 0.4 0.1 1007 Cut Cut of narrow gully aligned NE/SW >1.9 0.47 0.2 1008 Fill Single fill of 1007; grey-yellow silty sand 0.47 0.2 1009 void void 1010 void void 1011 Cut Cut of narrow ditch aligned NW/SE >0.8 0.7 0.16 1012 Fill Single fill of 1011; grey-brown clayey sandy silt 0.7 0.16 C12-14 1013 Cut Cut of E/W aligned ditch >0.4 1.46 0.49 1014 Fill Secondary fill of 1013; grey silt with white mottling 1.1 0.14 1015 Fill Tertiary fill of 1013; yellow-brown silty clay 1.25 0.12 1016 Fill Fourth fill of 1013; grey and orange-brown silty sand 1.3 0.2 1017 Fill Primary fill of 1013; grey silty clay 1.46 0.07 1018 Fill Fill of possible posthole/same as 1020 >0.4 0.17 0.18 1019 Cut Cut of possible posthole/same as gully 1021 0.17 0.18 1020 Fill Single fill of 1021; grey-black silt >0.8 0.19 0.07 1021 Cut Cut of narrow NE/SW gully same as 1031 0.19 0.07 1022 Fill Tertiary fill of 1025; light grey-brow sandy clay >1.9 1.09 0.49 E-MBA 1023 Fill Secondary fill of 1025; dark orange sand 0.93 0.09 1024 Fill Primary fill of 1025; grey and orange-brown silty 0.92 0.14 clay 1025 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1.09 0.66 1026 Fill Single fill of 1027/same as 1028 >1 0.37 0.07 1027 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned narrow gully terminus/same 0.37 0.07 as 1029 1028 Fill Single fill of 1029/same as 1026; grey-brown silty 0.37 0.3 clay

32 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

1029 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned narrow gully/ same as 1027 >1 0.37 0.3 1030 Fill Single fill of 1031/ same as 1020 0.37 0.21 1031 Cut Cut of narrow gully/same as 1021/1019 0.37 0.21 1032 Fill Single fill of 1033; brown sandy silt >1.9 1.4 0.39 RB 1033 Cut Cut of broad ditch aligned NE/SW 1.4 0.39 1034 Fill Single fill of 1035; grey brown clayey silt >1.9 1.1 0.45 1035 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned broad ditch >1.9 1.1 0.45 1036 Fill Secondary fill of 1038 0.28 1037 Fill Primary fill fo 1037 0.12 1038 Cut Cut of probable tree rooting/possible gully 0.4 1039 Fill Single fill of 1040; grey-brown clayey silt 0.15 1040 Cut Cut of probable tree rooting/possible gully 0.15 1041 Fill Single fill of 1042; grey-brown sandy silt 0.3 1042 Cut Cut of probable tree roots/possible gully >1.9 0.3 1043 Fill Tertiary fill of 1046; dark grey clayey silt 0.6 0.17 1044 Fill Secondary fill of 1046; brown sandy silt 0.57 0.06 1045 Fill Primary fill of 1046 0.43 0.08 1046 Cut Cut of probable tree roots/possible gully 0.7 0.29 1047 Layer Natural Substrate: loose orange-brown sand, lensed 0.25 with grit in northern part of trench 1048 Fill Ninth fill of 1058; grey-brown clayey silt >1.9 2.1 0.2 1049 Fill Eighth fill of 1058; grey-brown sandy silt 0.63 0.09 1050 Fill Seventh fill of 1058; grey silty clay 1.15 0.42 1051 Fill Sixth fill of 1058; orange-brown sand 1 0.08 1052 Fill Fifth fill of 1058; grey-yellow silt and sand 0.45 0.19 1053 Fill Fourth fill of 1058; grey-brown silt 0.78 0.1 1054 Fill Tertiary fill of 1058; pale grey gritty silt 0.35 0.09 1055 Fill Tertiary fill of 1058; orange-brown sandy clay 0.21 0.06 1056 Fill Secondary fill of 1058; grey sandy silt 0.56 0.08 1057 Fill Primary fill of 1058; orange brown sandy clay 0.61 0.15 1058 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned broad ditch >1.9 2.1 0.86 1059 Fill Single fill of 1060; grey-brown clayey silt >1.9 0.71 0.15 1060 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow gully 0.71 0.15 1061 Fill Top fill of 1062; grey-brown clayey silt 1.55 n/e 1062 Cut Cut of broad ditch aligned NE/SW >1.9 1.55 n/e 1063 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned modern stone field drain 0.4 n/e 1064 Fill Top fill of 1063 0.4 n/e 1065 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned modern stone field drain 0.4 n/e 1066 Fill Top fill of 1065 0.4 n/e 1067 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned modern stone field drain 0.4 n/e 1068 Fill Top fill of 1067 0.4 n/e 1069 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned modern stone field drain 0.4 n/e 1070 Fill Top fill of 1069 0.4 n/e

Trench 11

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1100 Layer Topsoil: grey-brown silty clay with frequent roots 0.2 1101 Layer Subsoil: orange-brown silty clay and gravel 0.15

33 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

1102 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay with frequent >0.35 limestone outcrops and orange sand lenses 1103 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.8 0.37 1104 Fill Primary fill of 1103; orange-brown silty clay 0.24 1105 Fill Secondary fill of 1103; grey-brown silty clay 0.13 RB 1106 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.15 0.46 1107 Fill Secondary fill of 1106 1.15 0.29 IA 1108 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.45 0.59 1109 Fill Single fill of 1108 1.45 0.59 1110 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1.14 0.18 1111 Fill Single fill of 1110; grey-brown silty clay 1.14 0.18 1112 Fill Light grey-brown deposit, cut by 1110 1.82 0.16 1113 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.58 0.21 1114 Fill Single fill of 1113; grey-brown silty clay 0.58 0.21 1115 Fill Primary fill of 1106; brown silty clay with orange 0.59 0.17 mottling 1116 Cut Cut of modern stone field drain 0.3 n/e 1117 Fill Fill of 1116 0.3 n/e 1118 Cut Cut of probable geological anomaly n/e 1119 Fill Fill of 1118 orange sand n/e 1120 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.24 0.36 1121 Fill Single fill of 1120; brown clayey silt 1.24 0.36 1122 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 0.86 0.38 E-MBA 1123 Fill Single fill of 1122; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.86 0.38 1124 Cut Cut of modern stone field drain 0.3 n/e 1125 Fill Fill of 1124 0.3 n/e 1126 Cut Cut of circular posthole 0.62 0.38 0.14 1127 Fill Single fill of 1126; brown clayey silt 0.62 0.38 0.14 1128 Cut Cut of probable geological anomaly 0.7 n/e 1129 Fill Fill of 1128; orange sandy clay 0.7 n/e

Trench 12

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1200 Layer Topsoil: grey-brown silty clay with frequent roots 0.45 C13-15 1201 Layer Subsoil: yellow-brown silty clay with frequent sub 0.2 angular medium and large stones 1202 Layer Natural substrate: light yellow sandy clay lensed >1 bpgl with orangey sand and frequent limestone 1203 Cut Cut of circular pit 0.7 0.65 0.12 1204 Fill Single fill of 1203 0.7 0.65 0.12 1205 Cut Cut of NW/SE slight plough scar >1.4 0.3 0.1 1206 Fill Single fill of 1205 0.1 1207 Layer Light grey-brown silty clay with frequent medium 0.7 and large angular stones 1208 Layer Mid-brown silty clay, softly compacted 0.5 1209 Layer Mid orange-brown sandy clay with occasional 0.25 limestone inclusions 1210 Layer Dark grey-brown silty clay with frequent gravel 0.45

34 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 13

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1300 Layer Topsoil: grey-brown to black loam with frequent 0.3 roots 1301 Layer Subsoil: light grey-brown silty clay 0.4 1302 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay and limestone >0.7 pavement outcropping bpgl 1303 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 3.02 0.42 1304 Fill Single fill of 1303; dark grey-brown silty clay 3.02 0.42 1305 void void 1306 Layer Possible demolition layer: frequent angular stones in >2.15 6.16 0.25 a dark grey brown clayey silt 1307 Layer Spread of rubble stone in a clayey silt matrix >2.15 1.6 0.3 1308 Wall Possible rubble wall foundation >2.15 1 0.4 1309 Cut Cut of N/S aligned possible rubble wall 1 0.4 1310 Layer Possible levelling layer; light grey silty clay and grit >2.15 0.75 0.17 1311 Fill Single fill of 1312; dark grey silt 1.3 0.6 C12-14 1312 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned broad ditch >1.9 1.3 0.6 1313 Fill Top fill of 1319; dark grey silt with reddish flecks >2.15 2.45 0.53 C12-14 1314 Fill Sixth fill of 1314; dark grey-black silt 1.9 0.23 C12-14 1315 Fill Fourth fill of 1314; grey-brown gritty sand 0.75 0.12 1316 Fill Third fill of 1314; light-grey silty clay 2.13 0.13 1317 Fill Secondary fill of 1314; dark grey silt 0.5 0.07 1318 Fill Primary fill of 1314; orange and grey-brown clayey 0.9 0.3 silt 1319 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned broad ditch >2.2 2.75 0.97 1320 Layer Possible buried soil horizon; grey-brown silty clay >2.1 >2.1 0.22 1321 Layer Possible buried soil horizon; grey-brown clayey silt >2.1 >2.1 0.18

1322 Fill Tertiary fill of 1325; grey-brown clayey silt >5.8 1 0.27 1323 Fill Secondary fill of 1325; grey/black silt 1 0.05 1324 Fill Primary fill of 1325; grey-brown clayey silt 1 0.1 1325 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch/furrow >5.8 1 0.39 1326 Fill Single fill of 1327; grey and orange-brown clayey silt >2.2 0.63 0.22 1327 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow gully 0.63 0.22 1328 Fill Single fill of 1329; grey and orange-brown clayey silt >2.2 0.92 0.25 1329 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow ditch/gully 0.92 0.25 1330 Cut Cut of possible NW/SE aligned narrow ditch >0.88 0.98 0.17 terminus 1331 Fill Single fill of 1330; yellow-brown clay, firm 0.98 0.17 1332 Fill Tertiary fill of 1335; grey-brown clayey silt 0.25 1333 Fill Secondary fill of 1335; firm black silt 0.7 0.03 1334 Fill Primary fill of 1335; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.7 0.1 1335 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned narrow ditch/furrow 0.7 0.3 1336 Layer Possible medieval cultivation horizon; grey-brown >1.9 >40 0.1 clayey silt 1337 Fill Top fill of 1338; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.7 n/e C14-16 1338 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned furrow 0.7 n/e 1339 Fill Top fill of 1340; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.7 n/e 1340 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned furrow 0.7 n/e 1341 Fill Top fill of 1341; dark grey-brown silty clay 0.7 n/e 1342 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned furrow 0.7 n/e

35 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 14

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1400 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown sandy clay, very friable 0.25 1401 Layer Subsoil: light brown sandy clay, very soft and friable 0.25 1402 Layer Natural Substrate: White or yellow sandy clay, very >0.5 wet/waterlogged bpgl 1503 Cut Possible cut of large pit of pond 7 >1.9 n/e 1504 Fill Top fill of 1503; loose rubble angular limestone n/e rubble possible backfill of pit or pond (not excavated as trench flooded)

Trench 15

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1500 Layer Topsoil: grey-brown sandy clay 0.3 C13-15 1501 Layer Subsoil: orange-brown sandy clay 0.15 1502 Layer Natural substrate; yellow sandy clay with outcrops >0.45 of shattered limestone 1503 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1 0.3 1504 Fill Single fill of 1503; brown sandy clay 1 0.3 C12-14 1505 Fill Secondary fill of 1506; grey-brown firm silty clay 2 0.52 C12-13 1506 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch 2.1 0.6 1507 Fill Primary fill of 1506 0.9 0.2 1508 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch 1 0.45 1509 Fill Secondary fill of 1508; grey-brown silty clay 1 0.3 C12-14 1510 Fill Primary fill of 1508; orange-brown silty clay 0.8 0.25 1511 Cut Cut of broad N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.35 0.65 1512 Fill Top fill of 1511; grey-brown sandy clay 1.35 0.24 C12-14 1513 Fill Secondary fill of 1511; yellow-grey silty clay 1.1 0.35 C12-14 1514 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned narrow gully >5.1 0.5 0.22 1515 Fill Single fill of 1514; grey-brown silty clay 0.5 0.22 1516 Cut Cut of NE/SE aligned narrow gully terminus >2.9 0.6 0.18 1517 Fill Single fill of 1516; grey-brown silty clay 0.6 0.18 1518 Cut Cut of N/S aligned narrow gully >1.9 0.15 0.55 1519 Fill Single fill of 1518; grey-brown silty clay 0.15 0.55 1520 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >1.9 1.6 0.3 1521 Fill Single fill of 1520; grey-brown silty clay 1.6 0.3 1522 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow/gully/ploughscar >1.9 0.28 0.04 1523 Fill Single fill of 1522 0.28 0.04 1524 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow/gully/ploughscar >1.9 0.7 0.03 1525 Fill Single fill of 1524 0.7 0.03 1526 Cut Cut of N/S aligned ditch >1.9 1.45 0.5 1527 Fill Top fill of 1526; grey-brown silty clay 1.45 0.2 ?Prehist 1528 Fill Secondary fill of 1526; light grey-brown silty clay 0.9 0.18 1529 Fill Primary fill of 1526; yellow-brown silty clay 0.65 0.1 1530 Cut Cut of ENE/WSW aligned narrow gully 0.4 n/e 1531 Fill Top fill of 1530; dark grey silty clay 0.4 n/e 1532 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow/gully/ploughscar >1.9 0.26 0.05 1533 Fill Single fill of 1532 0.26 0.05 1534 Cut Cut of N/S aligned furrow/gully/ploughscar >1.9 0.7 0.03

36 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

1535 Fill Single fill of 1534 1536 Fill Primary fill of 1511; yellow-brown silty clay 0.7 0.2

Trench 16

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1600 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.15 angular pebbles 1601 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.15 angular small stones and pebbles 1602 Layer Natural substrate: yellow-brown silty clay and >0.3 limestone pavement (shattered, very friable) bpgl

Trench 17

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1700 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 1701 Layer Subsoil: mid-brown silty clay 0.2 1702 Layer Natural substrate: limestone pavement with bands >0.4 of yellow-brown silty clay bpgl 1703 Cut Cut of modern N/S aligned stone land drain (cuts >18 0.5 n/e subsoil) 1704 Fill Fill of 1703; loose limestone cobbles in dark brown 0.5 n/e silty clay matrix 1705 Cut Cut of modern land drain connecting with 1703 1.2 0.4 n/e 1706 Fill Fill of 1705; same as 1704 0.4 n/e 1707 Cut Geological feature >3.4 0.4 0.1 1708 Fill Single fill of 1707; dark brown clayey silt >3.4 0.4 0.1

Trench 18

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1800 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 1801 Layer Subsoil: mid-brown silty clay 0.3 1802 Layer Natural substrate: limestone pavement with bands >0.5 of yellow sandy clay bpgl 1803 Cut Cut of modern NE/SW aligned stone drain (cuts 0.5 n/e subsoil) 1804 Fill Fill of 1803; loose limestone cobbles in dark brown 0.5 n/e clayey silt matrix 1805 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned possible ditch >2 0.7 0.25 1806 Fill Single fill of 1805; grey-brown clayey silt, contained >2m 0.7 0.25 animal bone

Trench 19

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1900 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 1901 Layer Subsoil: mid-brown silty clay 0.3 1902 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay with bands of >0.5 friable limestone paving and brown silty clay 1903 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned gully >2.3 0.3 0.1 1904 Fill Single fill of 1903; dark grey-brown silty clay >2.3 0.3 0.1

37 © Cotswold Archaeology Langport Road, Somerton: Archaeological Evaluation

1905 Cut Cut of NW/SE aligned ditch >2.6 2 0.4 1906 Fill Single fill of 1905; grey-brown sandy silty clay 2 0.4 C13-15 1907 Cut Cut of N/S aligned gully terminus or plough scar >0.75 0.29 0.17 1908 Fill Single fill of 1907; dark brown silty clay 0.29 0.17 1909 Cut Cut of E/W aligned shallow ditch or furrow >5.2 1.15 0.05 1910 Fill Single fill of 1909; light brown sandy clay 1.15 0.05 1911 Cut Cut of possible oval pit or tree-bole 1.6 0.7 0.36 1912 Fill Single fill of 1911; mid grey-brown silty clay 0.7 0.36 1913 Cut Cut of possible curvilinear ditch or geological feature 2.1 0,38 0.26 1914 Fill Single fill of 1913; firm silty clay 0.38 0.26 1915 Cut Cut of NE/SW aligned ditch >2.4 0.88 0.33 1916 Fill Primary fill of 1915; grey-brown sandy clayey silt 0.78 0.29 1917 Cut Cut of broad NE/SW aligned ditch >2.4 1.4 0.5 1918 Fill Primary fill of 1917; mid grey-brown sandy clayey 1.2 0.45 silt 1919 Fill Secondary fill of 1915; dark brown silty clay 0.88 0.05 1920 Fill Secondary fill of 1917; dark brown silty clay 1.4 0.05

Trench 20

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 2000 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 2001 Layer Subsoil: Mid-brown silty clay 0.2 2002 Layer Dark brown silty clay; probable large natural alluvial 0.35 deposit 2003 Layer Natural substrate: green-grey clay with bands and >0.75 spreads of limestone outcropping bpgl 2004 Cut Cut of N/S aligned shallow ditch or furrow >2 0.9 0.25 2005 Fill Single fill of 2004; brown silty clay with common >2 0.9 0.25 C13-15 angular limestone stones

Trench 21

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 2100 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 2101 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.1 angular small stones and pebbles 2102 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay with bands of >0.3 limestone pavement bpgl

Trench 22

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 2200 Layer Topsoil: dark grey-brown silty clay with common 0.2 angular pebbles 2201 Layer Subsoil: yellow brown sandy clay with very frequent 0.1 angular small stones and pebbles 2202 Layer Natural substrate: yellow sandy clay with bands of >0.3 limestone pavement bpgl

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Description Ct. Wt. (g) Date 110 Iron Age pottery: shell-tempered ware 9 38 Mid-Late Iron Age 130 Glass: Roman vessel 1 7 Roman Ceramic building material 1 2 135 Late IA/Roman pottery: sandy black ware 1 5 Iron Age 138 Late IA/Roman pottery: fine sandy black ware; sandy black 3 17 Late Iron ware Age to Early Fired clay 1 3 Roman 137 Roman pottery: central Gaulish samian; coarse sandy ware 2 7 C2-C4 205 Roman pottery: Dorset Black-burnished ware; central 40 448 Late C2-C4 Gaulish samian ware; fine and medium sandy greyware; fine micaceous sandy ware Fired clay 3 11 206 Roman pottery: Dorset Black-burnished ware; central 115 1087 Late C2-C4 Gaulish samian; fine micaceous sandy ware; medium sandy fabric Fired clay: object 7 40 207 Roman pottery: Dorset Black-burnished ware 17 285 Late C2-C4 Pottery object Ra1: circular disc 1 5 Stone: lias 1 270 Fired clay: daub 1 24 209 Pottery: fine oxidised sherd 1 1 Late C2-C4 304 Iron Age pottery: black limestone tempered ware 1 7 Iron Age 314 Iron Age pottery: shell-tempered ware 7 48 Iron Age 332 Late IA/Roman pottery: sandy oxidised ware: sandy black 5 34 Late Iron ware Age to Roman 336 Iron Age pottery: shell-tempered ware 3 13 Mid-Late Iron Age 350 Iron Age pottery: sandy black ware 2 5 Iron Age 360 Iron Age pottery: sandy black fabric; shell tempered ware; 4 28 Mid-Late oxidised fossiliferous limestone fabric; sandy fabric with Iron Age sparse limestone inclusions 362 Iron Age pottery: sandy black ware; fine spares limestone- 6 69 Late Iron tempered ware Age to Early Roman 404 Iron Age pottery: sandy fabric with quartz inclusions 1 8 Iron Age 410 Iron Age pottery: shell-tempered ware; black sandy ware; 11 25 Iron Age oxidised grog and limestone-tempered ware Fired clay 3 8 Stone: burnt lias 3 189 417 Iron Age pottery: limestone-tempered ware 1 2 Iron Age 419 Late IA/Roman pottery: black sandy ware 2 8 Late Iron Fired clay 3 8 Age to Roman 420 ?Iron Age pottery: shell-tempered ware 1 6 ?Iron Age 432 Late IA/Roman pottery: fine and medium sandy wares 5 7 Late Iron Fired clay 7 14 Age to Roman 438 Late IA/Roman pottery: sandy oxidised ware; fine sandy 2 11 Late Iron burnished ware; miscellaneous sandy ware2 6 19 Age to Early Fired clay Roman 439 Roman pottery: Dorset Black-burnished ware; grog 5 52 C2-C4 tempered greyware 448 Late IA/Roman pottery: sandy black ware; fine spare 7 26 Late Iron limestone-tempered ware Age to Early Roman 705 Iron: nail 1 4 Iron Age+

1004 Medieval pottery: fine sandy fabric; fine sandy fabric with 19 108 C12-C14 limestone inclusions; medium sandy fabric 1012 Medieval pottery: shell-tempered ware; coarse limestone- 2 9 C12-C14 tempered ware 1022 Prehistoric pottery: friable grog tempered 7 13 Early to Mid Lithic material: flint flakes 3 2 Bronze Age 1030 Fired clay 1 4 1032 Roman pottery: black sandy ware; fine oxidised fabric 2 3 Roman 1050 Fired clay 2 2 1105 Roman pottery: fine sandy greyware 3 35 Roman 1107 Iron Age pottery: black sandy ware 1 5 Iron Age 1123 Prehistoric pottery: grog and shell tempered fabrics 4 19 Early to Mid Lithic material: flint blade and flake 2 15 Bronze Age 1200 Ceramic building material: glazed roof tile 1 30 C13-C15 1311 Medieval pottery: oxidised sandy ware 2 26 C12-C14 Fired clay 2 12 1313 Medieval pottery: oxidised sandy limestone-tempered ware 2 85 C12-C14 1314 Medieval pottery: shell-tempered ware; coarse limestone- 6 48 C12-C14 tempered ware Iron: corroded bar 1 14 Fired clay 13 65 1318 Iron: corroded bar 1 15 1337 Late medieval/early post-medieval pottery: late fine sandy 1 6 C14-C16 oxidised glazed ware with black sand inclusions 1500 Iron Age pottery: black sandy fabric with limestone- 8 13 C13-C15 inclusions, reduced sandy fabric Medieval pottery: fine sandy oxidised ware with black sand 2 8 inclusions; glazed greyware Iron: nail 1 4 1504 Medieval pottery: fine sandy oxidised ware with black sand 1 4 C12-C14 inclusions 1505 Medieval pottery: sandy oxidised fabric with flint inclusions: 16 80 C12-C13 Iron: small nail 1 2 1509 Medieval pottery: limestone tempered ware 1 1 C12-C14 1512 Medieval pottery: limestone tempered ware; coarse 14 208 C12-C14 limestone tempered ware; fine sandy fabric Fired clay (vitrified) 2 17 1513 Medieval pottery: fine sandy black ware; limestone 3 15 C12-C14 tempered ware; oxidised sandy ware 1517 Fired clay (one vitrified) 2 7 1521 Fired clay 1 1 1527 Fired clay 1 1 Prehistoric? Lithic material: flint flake 1 9 1902 Medieval pottery: fine sandy oxidised glazed ware with black 1 3 C13-C15 sand inclusions 1906 Medieval pottery: fine sandy oxidised glazed ware 1 9 C13-C15 Lithic material: flint flake 1 2 2005 Medieval pottery: fine sandy oxidised glazed ware 1 3 C13-C15 U/S Iron Age pottery: shell tempered ware 1 18 Roman pottery: central Gaulish samian; fine black 6 28 micaceous burnished ware; Dorset Black-burnished ware Stone: worked stone disc 1 15

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Table 1. Identified mollusc species by context and fragment count

Context Feature Context type Period Count Weight (g) Comments

1109 1108 Ditch U/D 6 35.75 Helix aspersa 1109 1108 Ditch U/D 1 1.93 Cepaea hortensis 1304 1303 Ditch U/D 1 4.53 Helix aspersa 1806 1805 Ditch U/D 1 1.27 Helix aspersa 1806 1805 Ditch U/D 2 3.28 Cepaea hortensis 1906 1905 Ditch Medieval 3 27.58 Helix aspersa 1906 1905 Ditch Medieval 2 5.18 Cepaea hortensis

Table 2. Identified animal species by context and fragment count (NISP). Context no. BOS S/G SUS EQU CAN LM MM Indet. Total Weight (g) 115 2 - - - - 4 2 - 8 42.57 136 1 ------1 78.22 205 - 2 ------2 17.65 206 7 3 1 - - 9 10 - 30 213.17 209 ------1 1 0.61 360 1 - - 1 - - - - 2 78.00 404 3 2 - 1 - 1 - - 13 184.53 410 1 - - 1 - 3 3 - 8 37.58 419 1 1 ------2 71.12 438 - - 1 - - 4 - - 5 19.02 448 1 ------1 31.94 705 - - 1 - - - - - 1 29.99 1004 - - - 1 - - - - 1 21.00 1018 - 5 - - - - 12 - 17 30.50 1022 ------1 - 1 1.03 1030 ------7 - 7 7.91 1032 3 4 - 1 - 4 1 - 13 191.58 1034 5 2 - - - 6 6 - 19 270.22 1059 1 1 - - - 1 - - 3 30.38 1107 - - 1 1 - 15 8 1 26 203.19 1109 - - - - - 1 - 2 3 6.07 1121 4 1 - - 11 4 11 - 31 167.75 1204 - 1 - - - - 5 - 6 2.64 1304 3 1 - - - 6 - - 9 127.42 1311 - 1 ------1 2.83 1314 2 2 1 1 - 9 2 - 17 477.35 1324 - 2 - - - - 1 - 3 8.55 1505 3 1 - 1 - 5 2 - 12 75.36 1509 1 3 - - - 15 1 - 20 410.95 1510 - 1 - - - 1 1 - 3 8.57 1512 3 9 - - - 7 26 - 45 139.84 1513 1 1 - - - 6 12 - 20 62.00 1515 4 4 1 - - 2 13 - 24 94.90 1517 - 1 - - - - 1 - 2 5.26 1519 1 - - - - 3 - - 4 19.96 1521 3 - - - - 1 1 - 5 79.27 1523 - 1 - - - - 1 - 2 3.23 1527 1 2 - 1 - 2 4 - 10 165.45 1531 2 ------2 76.22 1806 - 5 - 1 - 1 12 - 19 54.90 1904 1 - - 1 - - - - 2 47.83

1906 1 - - - - - 3 - 4 21.88 1916 - - - - - 1 1 - 2 4.27 1948 - 1 ------1 6.30 2005 1 2 ------3 166.86

Table 3. Identified animal species by element and fragment count (NISP). Element BOS S/G SUS EQU CAN LM MM Indet. Horn core 1 ------Cranial 3 2 1 - - - - - Mandible 7 4 - 1 - 7 - - Loose teeth 18 15 1 3 - - - - Atlas 1 - 2 - - - - - Cerv.vert. 3 1 ------Thor.vert. 1 1 - - - 1 - - Lumb.vert. 1 2 - - 4 - - - Cocc.vert. 1 ------Rib - 8 - - 2 1 1 - Scapula 3 1 - - 1 2 - - Humerus 1 2 - 1 - - - - Radius - 5 ------Ulna - - - - - 1 - - Carpal 1 ------Metacarpal 1 1 ------Coxae 2 5 - 1 2 - - - Femur 1 3 - - 1 - - - Tibia 2 4 2 - - - - - Malleolus 1 ------Astragalus 3 1 - - 1 - - - Calcaneus 4 ------Metatarsal 2 3 ------Metapodial - 1 - 1 - - - - Phalanx 1 - - - 3 - - - - Phalanx 2 ------Phalanx 1/2 - - - 1 - - - - Indet. - - - - - 105 146 4

Total: 57 59 6 11 11 117 147 4 MNI: 3 2 2 1 1 - - - Weight (g): 1,941.25 246.02 103.17 662.26 39.73 625.51 172.33 5.60

APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2012 on land off Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset. Twenty-two trenches were excavated.

The evaluation provided evidence of Early to Middle Bronze Age, Middle to Late Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval activity. The earliest activity, located in the north-eastern part of the southern field, is represented by ditches containing Early to Middle Bronze Age pottery and lithics. A large enclosed settlement area was established in the southern part of the south field in the Middle to Late Iron Age, with a ditch flanked trackway leading to its entrance from the north-west. Activity in the southern field continued in the Roman period, as represented by ditches and pits both within the area of Iron Age settlement, and possible enclosures to the north of the southern field. Undated ditches in the central and northern fields may be contemporary with the Iron Age or Roman activity. Medieval agricultural activity, mainly in the form of ditched enclosures and furrows probably representing strip fields, was recorded in the northeast part of the southern field, the eastern part of the central field and the south-eastern corner of the northern field. Agricultural activity at the site continued into the post-medieval period, with evidence of later field systems and a possible rubble wall foundation which may relate to a farm building known to have been demolished in the 20th century. Project dates 3-21 September 2012 Project type Evaluation Previous work Field Evaluation (Hollinrake, C and N 1992) Desk-based assessment (CA 2011) Geophysical Survey (Stratascan 2011) Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset Study area (M2/ha) 16.7 ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) ST 4772 2815 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator NA Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Simon Cox Project Supervisor Diarmuid O Seaneachain MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of Content (e.g. pottery, animal archive (museum/Accession bone etc) no.) Somerset County Museum Accession Number TTNCM 73/2012 Physical Pottery, lithics, animal bone, CBM, bead, metal objects, glass Paper Proforma recording sheets, permatrace drawings Digital Digital survey drawings; digital photographs; report BIBLIOGRAPHY CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 12665

43 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Langport Road, Somerton Somerset Somerset FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 1997 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 04-10-2012 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY IA REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Trench 1, section AA Trench 1, section BB

N S E W 37.5m 38m topsoil 100 AOD AOD 116 subsoi 101 curvilinear 132 gully 137 115 133 134

01mditch 138 131 ?ditch re-cut 135 136

01m

Trench 2, section CC Roundhouse gully 115, looking east (scale 0.5m) Ditch 131 and recut 136, looking south (scale 1m)

topsoil 200

demolition layer 203

SW NE 205 36m AOD

ditch 203 204

207

01m Ditch 204, looking north-west (scale 1m) Ditches 313 and 359, looking north-east (scales 1m)

Trench 3, section DD

topsoil 300

NW subsoil 301 SE 37m 362 AOD 360 314 modern stone field drain 362

ditch 313 ditch 359 0 3m

Cirencester 01285 771022 Trench 3, section EE Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

SE NW PROJECT TITLE 37m 304 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset AOD 305

FIGURE TITLE curvilinear gully 303 Trenches 1, 2 and 3; sections and 01m photographs Roundhouse gully 303, looking west (scale 1m) PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 02-10-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:20 & 1:50 6 Trench 4, section FF

topsoil 400

N S subsoil 401 36m AOD 440

410

ditch 409 441 411 Ditch 409, looking east (scale 1m) Ditch 416, looking west (scale 0.5m)

Trench 4, section GG Trench 4, section HH

SN 36m AOD N 419 S 36m 417 AOD ditch 416 420 pit 418

Trench 4, section II

Pit 418, looking east (scale 0.5m) Ditch 437, looking east (scale 1m)

topsoi 400

N subsoil 401 S 36.5m AOD 438

ditch 437 439 01m

Cirencester 01285 771022 Trench 7, section JJ Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

SW NE PROJECT TITLE 37.8m 704 Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset AOD 705 FIGURE TITLE ditch 703 Trenches 4 and 7; sections and Ditch 703, looking north-west (scale 1m) photographs

PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 02-10-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:20 7 8 FIGURE NO. 01908 218320 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 01285 771022 @ 01264 326549 www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

enquiries Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover w e 02-10-2012 00 1:20 DATE REVISION SCALE@A3 3940 JB PJM Cotswold Archaeology 01m PROJECT TITLE Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset FIGURE TITLE 10; sections and Trench photographs PROJECT NO. BY DRAWN APPROVED BY Ditches 1029 and 1031, looking west (scales 1m and 0.5m) Ditch 1058, looking west (scale 1m) Ditch 1058, looking west Ditch 1025 and gully/posthole 1019, looking Ditch 1013, looking north-east (scale 1m) N

N 1019 posthole ditch 1013 1055 ditch 1058 1051 gully 1031 1001 1017 1048 1050 1053 ditch 1025 topsoil 1000 1056 1057 subsoil 1001 1030 1016 1015 1014 1054 topsoil 1000 subsoil 1001 1052 1049 10221023 1024 gully/possible gully 1029 1001 1028 NE N S S AOD 38.5m AOD 39m AOD 38.5m AOD 38.5m Trench 10, section MM Trench 10, section NN Trench Trench 10, section KK Trench 10, section LL Trench Trench 11, section OO

SW NE 40m AOD 1111 112

1110 ditch

Trench 11, section PP Ditch 1110, looking north-west (scale 1m) Ditches 1108 and 1106, looking north-west (scale 1m)

SW NE 39.7m 1114 AOD ditch 1113

Trench 11, section QQ

topsoil 1100

subsoil 1101

Ditch 1106 and 1108, looking south (scales 1m) E 1107 W 39m 1109 AOD

1115

ditch 1106 ditch 1108

01m Trench 11, section RR

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 SW NE Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 38.7m e [email protected] 1105 AOD PROJECT TITLE Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset possible posthole 1104 possible beam slot edge FIGURE TITLE Trench 11; sections and ditch 1103 photographs Ditch 1103, looking north-west (scale 1m) PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 02-10-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:20 9 Trench 13, section SS

SWtopsoil 1300 NE 40.5m subsoil 1301 AOD 1304

ditch 1303

02m

Ditch 1303, looking north-west (scale 1m)

Trench 13, section TT

SW NE 41m topsoil 1300 AOD topsoil 1300 1306 1307 subsoil 1301 subsoil 1301 poss. wall 1320 1313 1322 1308/9 1321 1311 1326 1328 1323 1314 1316 gully furrow 1324 gully 1315 1329 1325 1316 1318 ditch 1327 1312 1319 02m

Ditches 1319. 1312 and gullies 1327 and 1329, looking north-west (scale 1m)

N Trench 13, plan showing section TT

01m

ditch Cirencester 01285 771022 gully 1319 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 1329 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

T gully ditch T Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset 1327 1312 02m FIGURE TITLE Trench 13; plan, sections and furrow photographs

PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 02-10-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:20 10 Trench 15, section UU

1500 topsoil

1501 subsoil

E 1519 1512 W 41.5m AOD gully 1518 1513 ditch 1511 1536

01m

Ditch 1511 and 1518, looking south (scale 1m) Ditch 1506 and 1508, looking south-west (scale 2m) Trench 15, section VV

E W 41.5m 1509 1505 AOD

1510 1507 ditch ditch 1506 1508 01m

Trench 15, section WW

W E 41.5m 1531 1527 AOD ditch/gully Ditch 1526, looking south (scale 1m) Ditch 1915 and 1917, lookinf north-east 1530 1523 (scales 1m) ditch 1529 1526 01m

Trench 19, section XX

1920 1919 SE NW 43m 1916 1918 AOD ditch ditch 1915 1917 Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 01m Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] Trench 19, section YY PROJECT TITLE Ditch 1905, looking north (scales 1m) Langport Road, Somerton, Somerset

NWtopsoil 1900 SE FIGURE TITLE 43m subsoil 1901 Trench 15 and 19; sections and AOD 1906 photographs ditch 1905 02m PROJECT NO. 3940 DATE 02-10-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:20 & 1:50 11