Evaluation at Little Keyford Lane, Little Keyford, Frome

The evaluation was designed to inform the local authority of the site's archaeological potential in order to allow an appropriate planning response and mitigation. Geophysical survey, prior to the evaluation, indicated the presence of potential features in areas across the site. The evaluation therefore targeted these possible features with 16 trenches, 30 x 1.8 metres. As far as possible the aim was to investigate, date and characterise all features revealed and to map and record them appropriately. The evaluation comprised the excavation of sixteen 30 x 1.8m trenches at locations targeting anomalies indicated by geophysical survey. No archaeologically significant features or deposits were found in twelve of the trenches. The depositional sequence generally comprised between 0.10 and 0.20m of topsoil over between 0.03 and 0.15m of silty subsoil which directly overlay the limestone brash surface of the underlying natural substrate. Trenches 7, 8, 10 and 12 all contained cut features and archaeological deposits. Trench 7 contained the eastern terminus of a curvilinear feature that appeared to run E-W, finds collected from the fill suggest it is of Roman origin. Trench 8 contained a larger NE-SW site orientated ditch/gully which correlates with a large curvilinear anomaly identified by geophysical survey, again finds indicate a Roman date. Trenches 10 and 12 contained evidence of metal smelting and possibly smithing. Trench 12 contained an intact bloomer furnace, which was lifted for preservation and specialist assessment. The finds associated with the bloomery furnace suggest Roman origins, but it must be noted that furnaces of its kind are often prehistoric and that middle-late Iron Age pottery was found in close proximity. It seems likely that the site also contains, as yet poorly understood, occupation deposits, which may even reflect the footprints of buildings. Postholes recorded in Trench 10 strongly indicate structures. The archaeology discovered in the northern half of the site is of potentially regional significance and mitigation will be needed.