Cambria Farm
Encyclopedia
Cambria Farm is the site of a Bronze
and Iron Age
settlement and Roman
farm, between Ruishton
and Taunton
, Somerset
, England.
A survey of the site was carried by Context One in 2007 out prior to the construction of a Park and ride
close to Junction 25 of the M5 motorway
. In early 2009 further exploration and excavation was carried out. It uncovered a Bronze Age
mound of burned stones, Iron Age
Roundhouses and the remains of a Roman farm.
The evidence of human occupation was dated as between 1000 BC to 400 AD. The buildings included three possible rectilinear post-built structures and at least five roundhouse
s, each of which was up to 17 metres (55.8 ft) in diameter. A Roman field system and small cemetery dating from the 2nd century were also discovered.
Finds from the site include a pair of iron shears, animal bones, flint tools and an Iron Age brooch. They will be displayed in Somerset County Museum
. Examples of Glastonbury type pottery
, and three Iron Age spearheads were also found.
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
settlement and Roman
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
farm, between Ruishton
Ruishton
Ruishton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the River Tone and A358 road east of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The village has a population of 1,389...
and Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England.
A survey of the site was carried by Context One in 2007 out prior to the construction of a Park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
close to Junction 25 of the M5 motorway
M5 motorway
The M5 is a motorway in England. It runs from a junction with the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Heading south-west, the M5 runs east of West Bromwich and west of Birmingham through Sandwell Valley...
. In early 2009 further exploration and excavation was carried out. It uncovered a Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
mound of burned stones, Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
Roundhouses and the remains of a Roman farm.
The evidence of human occupation was dated as between 1000 BC to 400 AD. The buildings included three possible rectilinear post-built structures and at least five roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
s, each of which was up to 17 metres (55.8 ft) in diameter. A Roman field system and small cemetery dating from the 2nd century were also discovered.
Finds from the site include a pair of iron shears, animal bones, flint tools and an Iron Age brooch. They will be displayed in Somerset County Museum
Somerset County Museum
The Museum of Somerset is located in the 12th century great hall of Taunton Castle, in Taunton in the county of Somerset, England. The museum is run by Somerset County Council and includes objects initially collected by the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society who own the...
. Examples of Glastonbury type pottery
Glastonbury type pottery
Glastonbury type pottery is a form of Iron Age pottery derived from earlier Gaulish art of the middle La Tène period. It was made in southwestern England and takes its name from the town of Glastonbury in Somerset....
, and three Iron Age spearheads were also found.