Somerset Archaeol Natur Hist 139

Pollen, plant macrofossil, and insect analyses from excavated deposits illustrating the environmental conditions in the eastern part of the Brue Valley depict a varied prehistoric landscape, predominantly alder swamp with evidence for wetter episodes and the presence of swamp conditions to some degree throughout.

Reports an evaluation followed by a watching brief, carried out during water-pipelaying work. Discoveries included two separate Mesolithic flint scatters to the east and south east of Sock Farm, and a possible IA settlement to the south of Wellhams Brook. Detailed sections were also recorded through the Roman road from Ilchester to Dorchester, along with a number of RB and later field boundaries to the east of this road. A boundary ditch was examined, with associated ridge and furrow cultivation, contemporary with the deserted medieval settlement to the south west of Ten Acres farm. There was also a mixed spread of RB and medieval finds adjacent to Sock Dennis Farm. There are specialist reports from Ilchester to Dorchester Roman road, on: `Roman pottery' (65) and `Wood' (65) both by L N Mepham; worked stone; `Environmental evidence' by Michael J Allen & Robert Scaife (65--70). From Prince's Pasture: `Ceramic building material' (70), `Clay pipes' (70 & 73), `Glass' (73--4), `Romano-British pottery' (74), `Medieval pottery' (74--5) all by L N Mepham; `The coins' by John A Davies (75). Sock Dennis Farm: `Ceramic building material' (77), `Romano-British pottery' (77), `Medieval pottery' (77) all by L N Mepham; and `The coins' by John A Davies (78). Sock Farm Meso `Worked flint and chert' scatters are detailed including an eponymous note from Phil Harding (80). Barrow deserted medieval settlement includes `Medieval pottery' by L N Mepham (81--2). Montacute House IA features detail `The pottery' by Elaine L Morris (84--6).

A paper appraising some of the Somerset archaeologist and local historian's work and providing a handlist of the records that survive. Nash's data is used to reconstruct the Roman landscape around Burnham-on-Sea and Brent Knoll where a variety of settlements were discovered, some associated with salt production. Appendices detail `Chronology of major excavations and observations' (113--14), `Nash's archaeological records' (114--15), `Nash's reports relating to the M5 motorway' (115--16), and `Notes relating to documentary research' (116).

Reports work at the church between 1908 and 1959.

Circa seventy-five notes on survey, fieldwork, excavation, and watching briefs from across the county, grouped under chronological headings.