Introduction
We were invited to evaluate the geoarchaeology of a site at Walpole Landfill Site, Somerset to help the client, both in understanding the origins of the deposits and in assessing the archaeological potential of the site.
Background
The bedrock of the area was known to be the Lower Lias of the Lower Jurassic, and we found the soils to be alluvial gley soils, which were deep, stoneless and formed on estuarine alluvium, the permanently high water table is controlled by pumped drainage through ditches and sea defences. The site lay on an area of flat land within the area of a landfill site on land that was once farmed.
A single trench was dug to allow us to examine deposits visible in the sides and take samples for later analysis.
Findings
In the samples we looked at we found a sequence of natural deposits, in which different stages of soil development could be seen. Although no archaeological evidence was found, an organic silty clay deposit was found, which told us that although not dry enough for complete soil development a terrestrial surface had began to form before being buried by estuarine alluvial deposits.
Conclusions
From our investigations, we were able to tell the clients that the presence of this possible buried soil may provide important evidence to further our knowledge of landscape formation in the Somerset area, especially if it proves to be equal in age to the buried soil found at the King Alfreds School site,