Evaluation at Land off Tunnel Lane, Midsomer Norton

Avon Archaeology Limited were commissioned by TCMS Heritage Ltd to undertake a programme of Archaeological Evaluation by trial trenching, on a site off Tunnel Lane on the south side of Midsomer Norton, Somerset (centred on ST 52600 66100). The work was commissioned to inform the planning process for a forthcoming application to develop the site for housing. The criteria and methodology for the project were set out in a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by AAL (AAL 2025) and approved by the archaeological advisors to Somerset Council, South West Heritage Trust (SWHT) prior to any work being carried out on site. The evaluation, as set out in the WSI, was intended to comprise two 53 x 30 x 1.8m Trenches. However, conditions on site became very poor due to wet weather and resultant flooding and it was agreed with SWHT that nine of the trenches could be abandoned. Avon Archaeology Limited were commissioned by TCMS Heritage, on behalf of Barratt Homes, to undertake an archaeological evaluation, by trial trenching, of land off Tunnel Lane, Midsomer Norton, Somerset. The evaluation comprised the excavation of 44 1.8 x 30m trenches (out of an intended 53 trenches) at locations across the site targeting anomalies flagged by geophysical survey. Large pits, possibly reflecting stone quarrying, were recorded in a number of the trenches towards the north of the site. Most trenches exhibiting evidence of quarrying did not produce any significant dating evidence. Two examples however did contain finds which indicate a late Iron Age or possibly Roman date, but this cannot reliably be extrapolated to all of the pits. Trenches in the southern half of the site contained numerous cut features ranging from small gullies to wider ditches. They were characterised by being cut directly into the limestone substrate and having, in many cases, a single homogenous, fill. Finds were scarce comprising 10 flint items, three of which are tools or utilised flakes, probably of late Mesolithic origin. If the features reflect anthropogenic activity it is therefore most likely that they are prehistoric in nature, but unlikely to reflect settlement activity, instead perhaps evidence of prehistoric land management. Unfortunately the limitations of trial trenching have not allowed sufficient exposure of the features to characterise their form or extent.