1118214. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Test Pit, Field Observation (Monitoring), Geophysical Survey at Land at Yeo Valley, Cannington, Sedgemoor, Somerset

Series:

South West Archaeology Ltd. unpublished report series

Downloads:

southwes1-521636_217242_2.pdf (1 MB) :	Download
southwes1-521636_217242.pdf (1 MB) :	Download
southwes1-521636_217242_1.pdf (2 MB) :	Download

Biblio Note

This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.

Licence Type:

ADS Terms of Use and Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1118214

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

Geophysical survery - This work was undertaken in accordance with current best practice and CIfA guidance. Any deskbased assessment aspect of this report follows the guidance as outlined in: Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (CIfA 2014a) and Understanding Place: historic area assessments in a planning and development context (English Heritage 2012). The geophysical (gradiometer) survey follows the general guidance as outlined in: EAC Guidelines for the use of geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016) and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (CIfA 2014b) and the Somerset Archaeological Handbook (2017 SWHT). Test pits - Six small test-pits, up to c.0.50m x c.0.50m in size, were hand excavated to an average depth of c.0.40m below ground level (BGL), this being the top of the undisturbed natural substrate. Test pit 6 (TP6) was located over a feature and so was excavated to a depth of c.0.60m, through fill (103) and deep enough to demonstrate the stratigraphy. Six sections, each facing south, were drawn and photographed, and the test pits were backfilled at the end of excavation for safety; as a public right of way and footbridge was located on the north side of the field, without a fence barrier. Monitoring & recording - A service trench measuring 0.50m wide deep consistently was excavated by machine, using a toothless grading bucket to an average depth of c.0.60m below ground level (BGL), this being the top of the undisturbed natural substrate. The depth of the trench revealed natural in places, but was mostly excavated to a depth within the subsoil. No archaeological features were present. Geophysics - The site is located south-west of the village of Cannington, the survey area comprising a single field situated between Cannington Brook and the A39. Archaeological fieldwork in the area has identified Bronze Age and Romano-British activity, the closest being a possible ‘ladder settlement’ c.0.5km to the south-east. The gradiometer survey identified ten groups of anomalies, most of which can be attributed to modern disturbance or utilities. The anomaly groups with the highest archaeological potential are diffuse curving linears towards the northern boundary of the site. The high response from the modern utility and the high numbers of di-polar anomalies may mask other, smaller archaeological features. Test pits - The test pits were opened to assess the stratigraphy and to investigate the depth of the level of natural, before ground works associated with the installation of a solar farm on the site. The fieldwork would indicate that there are soil depths of between 0.4-0.45m on average across the site and that any anchoring system for the panels which was within these levels would have little to no impact upon any archaeology deposits which may exist on the site. Monitoring & Evaluation - The service trench monitored was for the installation of electrical cabling, in preparation, before ground works associated with the installation of a solar farm on the site. The fieldwork would indicate that there are soil depths of between 0.40-0.60m on average across the site and that any anchoring system for the panels which was within these levels would have little to no impact upon any buried archaeology deposits which may exist on the site.

Author:

S Stevens
P Bonvoisin
J Bampton

Publisher:

South West Archaeology Ltd.

Other Person/Org:

Somerset HER (OASIS Reviewer)

Year of Publication:

2023

Locations:

County:	Somerset
District:	Somerset
District:	Sedgemoor
Parish:	Cannington
Country:	England

Grid Reference: 324829, 139019 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

FIELD OBSERVATION (MONITORING) (Event)

TEST PIT (Event)

MAGNETOMETRY SURVEY (Event)

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY (Event)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

southwes1-521636

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

15 Mar 2024