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Oldest open-air cemetery in the UK found Somerset was the site of the UK's oldest open-air cemetery, the county council says. Recent radiocarbon dating of two skulls found at a sand quarry in Greylake nature reserve near Middlezoy in 1928 revealed them to be 10,000 years old... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by goffik 26th July 2011ce

New visitor centre for Avalon Marshes Bit of a belated post, from This Is Somerset website: The Iron Age inhabitants of Somerset's Avalon Marshes might have thought prehistoric architects were at work if they could see designs for the striking thatched visitor centre proposed for their old homeland. continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thesweetcheat 6th March 2011ce Edited 6th March 2011ce

Heritage Police to guard ancient sites Posted on Facebook by http://www.digitaldigging.co.uk/index.html Heritage police to guard historic icons in Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire - will also guard against illegal metal detecting. http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Heritage-police-guard-icons/article-3212734-detail/article.html Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by tjj 12th February 2011ce

Combing the Mendips for historic treasures From The Weston & Somerset Mercury: A TEAM of archaeologists will begin a four year hunt for hidden treasures on the Mendip Hills soon. A dozen English Heritage specialists will use the latest aerial scanning technology as well as field surveys and other traditional archaeological techniques to look for new finds... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by baza 21st July 2006ce

Bronze Age hoard from Silk Mills Bridge Archaeologists are currently studying the hoard found at Silk Mills Bridge near Taunton in the summer, before the items go on public display. "Steven Membery, archaeologist for Somerset County Council, said of the site: "It appears to be an island in a large river. It was used seasonally probably for hunting ducks and fish... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Rhiannon 3rd January 2006ce Edited 3rd January 2006ce

Wetland sites being lost through drainage A study has highlighted how rural development and drainage for agriculture in the Somerset levels has badly damaged nationally important archaeological sites. When ground water levels drop in the summer, the waterlogged remains dry out: current farming methods don't leave enough water inthe peat to protect them... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Rhiannon 10th October 2005ce Edited 10th October 2005ce

6.500yr old causeway and fish weir found nr Bridgewater, Somerset. Workers digging a new rubbish tip at Walpole nr Bridgewater have found the remains of an ancient causeway and fish weir. Archaeologist Richard Brunning has provisionally dated them to 4.500 BCE. More here... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by jimit 13th July 2005ce Edited 15th February 2006ce

Iron Age shoe unearthed at quarry A shoe believed to be 2,000 years old has been dug up at a Somerset quarry. The Iron Age relic was found in a hollowed tree trunk set into the ground at Whiteball Quarry, near Wellington... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by goffik 10th May 2005ce

Cave Network Found Under Car Park From - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3550105.stm A group of potholers stopped from exploring because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, found a network of caves under the car park of their local pub... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by pure joy 20th March 2004ce Edited 25th March 2004ce

Prehistoric Axe Found in a Garden in Somerset A 5,000-year-old flint axe head has been found in a garden in Somerset (England). Andrew Witts made the rare prehistoric discovery while landscaping his garden at Creech St Michael near Taunton. Mr Witts said: "I knew I had found something unusual when I noticed the object had a polished surface, but I never thought it would be that... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Kozmik_Ken 15th March 2004ce Edited 15th March 2004ce

Homes Refused on Prehistoric Site The site of archaeological remains which are thought to date back thousands of years has been saved from development. An area occupied by a Scheduled Ancient Monument was at risk of being turned into a small housing estate on the edge of Highbridge and West Huntspill in Somerset... continues... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Kozmik_Ken 17th December 2003ce Edited 17th December 2003ce

Links

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Charterhouse Environs Research Team Introduction to the 'Chert' index to the drawings and sketches of the Rev. John Skinner A great antiquarian! Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by moss 18th December 2012ce Edited 19th December 2012ce

YouTube Short video from the Museum of Somerset showing some of the gold objects found in the county. Steve Minnitt presents a torc found near Yeovil, an amazingly intricate and fine ring-shaped Thing, and the 17 gold objects untangled from the hoard buried at Priddy. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Rhiannon 12th March 2011ce

The Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society (BACAS). Website includes history of the society, along with excursions, lectures, open days and events Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Chance 10th July 2010ce Edited 10th July 2010ce

Somerset Historic Environment Record An excellent resourse for finding details of sites in Somerset. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by jimit 14th November 2003ce

Kenwalch's Castle (Hillfort) — Images (click to view fullsize)

Posted by ginger tt 10th May 2013ce

Kenwalch's Castle (Hillfort) — Links

Pastscape link for Kenwalch's Castle Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by ginger tt 10th May 2013ce

Whitestown (Round Barrow(s)) — Miscellaneous

‘Drive by’ 30.3.13 We were heading home after a fairly successful days ‘Barrow hunting’ and I was dozing in the front of the car trying to catch some well needed shut eye as I was still not feeling too good. All of a sudden Dafydd shouts out ‘Barrow!’ I opened my eyes and asked ‘where?’ ‘There’ says Dafydd pointing out of the window. Sure enough, in the middle of a field to the left of the road was a large grass covered Barrow! E.H. state: ‘A bowl barrow located on level ground 610m NW of Whitestown Farm. It is visible as a mound 30m in diameter and 3m high’ ‘Well done!’ I congratulated Dafydd I don’t suppose there are many 5 year olds who would even know what a Barrow was – never mind spot one when driving past! He was duly rewarded when Sophie later spotted an ice cream van! Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 3rd April 2013ce

Home Farm Cottage (Round Barrow(s)) — Fieldnotes

Visited 30.3.13 Directions: South of Farrington Gurney, right next to the A37, just after the junction with the A39. The Barrow is directly opposite Home Farm. This is a busy road although you can pull in at the farm drive entrance next to the Barrow. This is a cracker of a Barrow and given its location next to the A37 I am surprised no one has previously made mention to it? The Barrow is very prominent on the brow of a hill and has a single large tree growing out of the top of it. A couple of sheep seemed to enjoy the view from the top. A very nice Barrow to visit and well worth the minimal effort required. E.H. state: ‘A bowl barrow situated 100m east of Home Farm Cottage. The barrow is a flat topped mound 21m in diameter and 2.25m high. There is a slight hollow in the centre of the mound which is probably the result of an unrecorded antiquarian excavation’. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 2nd April 2013ce

Victoria Farm (Round Barrow(s)) — Fieldnotes

Visited 30.3.13 Directions: To the west of Binegar, either side of the B3139 I observed both Barrows from the side of the road. The Barrow immediately to the south of the road is no more than a small grass covered mound. It looked smaller to me that what E.H. state. Either it has since been ploughed out or I was looking at the wrong thing! E.H. state: ‘A mound 35m in diameter and 2.15m high’. The Barrow to the north of the road was much easier to spot. The grass covering this Barrow has been worn away on one side and appeared brown and bare. E.H. state: ‘A flat topped mound 18m in diameter and 2m high’ Worth a quick look when driving down the road but not much more than that. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 2nd April 2013ce

Whitnell Corner (Round Barrow(s)) — Miscellaneous

‘Drive by’ 30.3.13 Although my O/S map showed 4 Barrows in the group, I could only spot 2 from the roadside. Both of the Barrows I could see are very prominent and easy to see. There is no public access to the field and as I wasn’t feeling too good I contented myself for a view from the road. Well worth keeping an eye out for when in the area. E.H. state: ‘The monument includes two bowl barrows located on rising ground 350m NNE of Whitenell Corner. The northernmost barrow comprises of a mound 30m in diameter and 2.5m high. The southernmost barrow comprises of a mound 18m in diameter and 1m high at its highest point’. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 2nd April 2013ce

Round Hill Tump (Round Barrow(s)) — Fieldnotes

Visited 30.3.13 Directions: To the north of Radstock, next to a minor road off the busy A367. Access is via a stile next to a wooden field gate. The start of a day of ‘Barrow hunting’ and what a good one to start with! The Barrow is an impressive sight approximately 4m high x 30m across It is covered in trees with a particularly tall tree right in the centre. The Barrow has a barbed wire topped wooden fence all around it. Access to the Barrow is easy and given its size is well worth a visit when in the area. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 2nd April 2013ce

The Mendips — News

Mendip Hills team gets conservation cash boost The team that looks after the landscape of the Mendip Hills has been given more than £200,000 to help with its conservation. The Heritage Lottery Fund money will be spent on teaching people about the history and archaeology of the Black Down and Burrington Commons. The area above Cheddar covers the highest point on the Mendips. The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, said it was "delighted" to get the grant. Councillor Dawn Hill, the organisation's chairman, said: "Black Down is one of the most fascinating sites in the Mendip Hills AONB," she said. "With this funding we can bring the special stories of the site to life and encourage people to take an active role in caring for this special place." Erosion and damage The grant will employ a full-time project officer for three years, and pay for new volunteering and training opportunities. It will also go towards the restoration and repair of badly eroded paths, as well as protecting the area's wildlife habitats and archaeology. The AONB said in recent years an increase in visitor numbers had resulted in problems of erosion and damage to specific features and the site in general. "It's the largest area of common land in the Mendip Hills," said Andy Mallender from the partnership. He added: "Part of the site is a designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the valuable wildlife habitats found there. "Another large part of the site is designated a Scheduled Monument because of the wealth of archaeology on the site." The Black Down has three Scheduled Monuments dating from the late Stone Age and Bronze Age through to World War II. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-21059670? Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by moss 18th January 2013ce

Alderman's Barrow (Round Barrow(s)) — Miscellaneous

Substantial barrow 24m in diameter, marking one of the bounds of Exmoor Forest. It has had various recorded names in the past, including Osmundesburgh (1219) and Owlaman's Burrow. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thesweetcheat 15th January 2013ce

Wookey Hole (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Links

Internet Archive Another early description of the caves (variously Okey Hole, Ochie Hole, or Wockey) in 'The Natural History of England' by Martin Benjamin (1759). Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Rhiannon 18th November 2012ce