Archaeology in the Severn Estuary 18

This paper presents the results of archaeological survey and post-excavation analysis of a remarkable number of wooden fish baskets, hurdling and stakes exposed on the foreshore of the Severn Estuary at Sudbrook. The foreshore to the south and southwest of Sudbrook Camp had been the subject of an intensive study in 1990, in advance of construction of the Second Severn Crossing, that found a number and variety of medieval fish traps. The present structures were recorded to the immediate north and south of the Second Severn Crossing, and around the scour of bridge caisson 12, following storms during December 2006 and January 2007 that had swept the foreshore at Sudbrook clear of soft sediment and gravel. All visible fishing structures were sketch-planned, photographed, and selected samples taken for wood identification and radiocarbon dating. They are largely of 11th to14th century date, and include several fish baskets of a globular form, constructed of finely woven willow and hazel, that have not previously been recorded from Sudbrook, or indeed, elsewhere within the Severn Estuary. The evidence from Sudbrook further supports the importance of fishing within the estuary, but also expands upon the inventory of known fishing structures.

This paper summarises research into the potential extent of the 1607 flood in the Severn Estuary, UK. A potential flood-extent map is presented and a discussion into the uncertainties of the data is given. Results show that the Somerset Levels would have been greatly affected over a 560 km2 area and 96 km2 on the Gwent side of the estuary. Further work is required to examine the influence of data uncertainties on the areas generated so that confidence can be placed in the results.

Continuing survey and small-scale excavation of palaeochannels in the intertidal zone at Peterstone Great Wharf has established the stratigraphic relationship between some channels. Three types of wood structure were investigated: settings of 1 to 3 large posts, channel-edge post alignments, and hurdles. Channels contained artefacts washed, or deposited, from occupation areas which are perhaps now eroded away. Activity is early and middle Bronze Age. Preliminary results of pollen analysis are reported. Saltmarsh conditions were followed by a thin reed peat in the channel top; there is evidence for burning of coastal vegetation.

This note describes recent finds of worked flint from both stratified and unstratified contexts on the foreshore of the middle Severn Estuary at Oldbury Flats, South Gloucestershire. They supplement earlier collections, totalling c 2000 items, and further demonstrate the prehistoric importance of this site. The new stratified contexts date largely from the mid 6th to late 5th millennium BC, affording evidence for a previously not fully recognised phase of late Mesolithic activity.

A catastrophic seaflood that occurred on 30 January 1607 was commemorated 400 years on through a public conference organised by Bath Spa University but held at the Caerleon Campus of the University of Wales, Newport, on the afternoon of Saturday 27th January 2007.

Notes to Contributors

Vol 18 2007 Back Cover

Vol 18 2007 Front Cover