<< Back to Query / Map page

Somerset Historic Environment Record

15864

Site Name:	Watching brief (1988), Shapwick Burtle
Civil Parish:	Shapwick
Part of:	PRN 10739 Sweet Track, Shapwick Heath
	PRN 12512 DUPLICATED SITE (see PRN 10739)
Grid Ref:	ST 4216 4012 (ST 44 SW)
	Show site on map (Requires Flash)
Image:
	HER 15864 - Photo by Somerset County Council (July 1988)

Public access:

It is unlikely that there is anything to see unless this event took place on a site (see link above) where there may be details of access. Otherwise please assume that the site is on private land. [Information last updated on 15 July 2003]

Details:

Two lengths of ditch were cut without scheduled monument consent in advance of plans to plant potatoes. The work was stopped, and following discussions, the works were backfilled under archaeological supervision. A plastic barrier was erected within the backfill in an attempt to reduce water flow out of the field.

Examination of the N-S ditch (ditch A), which runs close to the projected line of the Sweet Track (PRN 10739), revealed exposed wood which appeared to be horizontal timbers which had been severely damaged by the ditching and only survived in section. This lay on a platform of peat close to the peat/burtle interface and may have been a structure. Other fragments of wood from the spoil indicated that other structures etc had been damaged but these could not be recorded in the ditch.

The main find in ditch B was a 7m length of bog oak and this was replaced in its approximate position. {1}

References:

Record created on 30 December 2002

© Copyright Somerset County Council 2013