A dig into history excites experts

Submitted by PaulM on Thursday, 13 May 2004 Page Views: 2953

Archaeologists will move onto the site of the new Focus DIY store at Fosse Lane in Shepton Mallet at the end of this month. The site is subject to an exploratory dig before any building work gets under way and archaeologists' hopes of interesting discoveries are high owing previous Iron Age finds and to its close proximity to the Roman settlement found in 1990 at a nearby factory warehouse building site.

John Siese, of Blackfriar Developments, the contractor's building the new store, said: "We hope to start the archaeological dig at the end of May and it will last approximately eight weeks. Then we will start building, which will take about nine months."

The remains of a Iron Age compound and dwelling has recently been discovered, along with a more unusual find - that of an entire cow skeleton buried in a pit. Mr Leach believes it is likely the cow was a sacrificial offering.

Archaeologist Peter Leach, who worked at the 1990 site, where a Roman coffin, complete with its inhabitant and the famous Roman amulet was discovered, will lead the team at the Focus site.

He said: "We are well aware of the public interest that will surround the site, and hope to have a public open day if artefacts are found. We hope that Somerset County Council will also get involved with a display. Work is likely to start at the beginning of June." Mr Leach is currently working in Shepton Mallet, on Duchy of Cornwall land at the Whitstone Road site of the latest Bloor Homes development.

Archaelogical investigations form part of the legal planning conditions, and the landowner and builders are responsible for funding the dig.

Source: Shepton Mallet Journal

Contributor Bio for PaulM: Based in Macclesfield, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Hordron Edge. Occupation: Something in waste and recycling.

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