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Dig Report 2 (Part 2)

Metals - Continued

TR07 Co.08: Possible wrought iron key? Plate: 16

TR11Co.04 Copper alloy hook fasteners Plate: 17

TR07 10mm R.B. Barbarous Radiate circa 340AD Plate: 18

TR11 18mm Constantine II also a possible contemporary forgery,

circa 340AD both Copper alloy

Bone

At the time of writing all bone finds are thought to be animal butchered then broken to extract marrow. They appear to be mainly porcine and ovine, however, some larger bone fragments are certainly bovine or possibly equine particularly some skull fragments. The total weight of bone found in TR0, 11 and 13 is 9.5 Kilograms.

Two pieces have been worked see Plates 19 and 20 below

TR11 Co.03 Phalanges pendant or toggle Plate 19

TR11Co.05 Decorated bone fragment Plate: 20

Lithic items

Three worked flints were found and a sandstone lid, also a peculiar fragmented piece of limestone with unusual possibly natural or striated marks upon it.

TR07 Co.14, Co.08 & Co.11 Plate: 21

TR11Co.03 &05: Plate 22

Unusually marked stone, striations, manmade or natural? Also possibly a mix of both. Very smooth texture possibly due to handling.

TR13Co.03: Stone lid with tapering section to edges. Plate: 23

Artifacts Summary

Compared to trenches TR02, 03and 05, there seems less evidence of charcoal, furnace slag and other evidence of hot works, however, limestone reddened by exposure to heat is evident, including some reused as found in the wall structure remains in TR07. The assemblage is wide and varied, including a large number potsherds. Roman coins have been found in contexts above medieval contexts, indicating previous disturbance. With large numbers of bone fragments and the lipid analysis demonstrating ceramic pot use for animal meat preparation, a sustainable and prolonged occupation is indicated. The metal equestrian assemblage may possibly indicate manufacturing of items for equine care on this site, but further investigation is needed.

Dig Report Conclusion

The general conclusion is of middle to higher status occupation in the medieval period. As with SGF21 the indications are of a truncation of occupation mid 14^th century. The dig also seems to indicate an historic site clearance and levelling and that any items of value have been removed and artifacts now uncovered were of no value or missed during this process.

Carbon dating was carried out during 2022 and is acknowledged in Dig report 1. However the results were received in September 2022 and so in this report. The result was 741AD + or – 23 years. Every indication is that the Bovine tibia and fibula was buried as a joint and found in TR02. It is unusual, as every other bone found to date had been broken to remove marrow, possibly suggesting a ritual offering.

The artifact and structural remains though are still of great interest and will eventually provide a comprehensive story of the Glebe Fields past occupation and use.

2023 Objectives

1. Excavate high resistance anomaly due south of TR13 to address question1 above.

2. Use digital information amassed to date to construct GIS imagery.

3. Use scientific methods such as carbon dating, lipid testing and the like to the fullest possible.

4. Minimise dig area to prevent damage to the site and to lessen post dig works.

10. Acknowledgements

- Avon Archaeology Ltd.

Contact: Dr.Nick Corcas https://www.avonarchaeology.co.uk/

Services: Drone Survey and Period advise

- Community Archaeology on the Mendip Plateau (CAMP)

Contact: Pip Osbourne https://www.camp-plateau.co.uk/home

Services: Pottery typology, artifact dating, and group digging.