| Site Name: |
Baker platform and track, Westhay Heath, Meare |
| Civil Parish: |
Meare |
| Grid Ref: |
ST 4284 4225 (ST 44 SW) |
Public access:
The public accessibility of this site is unknown or has not been checked. Please ask locally and do not visit without permission. [Information last updated on 21 May 2003]
Details:
A heavy timber structure called the Baker Platform was found near the Bell Trackway (PRN 23793) running roughly parallel to it on its N side. {1}
It was first investigated in the late 1960s and again in 1974-78. The structure consisted of a large platform of alder and willow brushwood, bordered on the N by heavier timbers and pegged down extensively, leading to a slipway of split alder trunks. Also a walkway led E onto Westhay Island and a trackway, the "Baker Track" led W onto the raised bog. The platform has two phases, the earliest radio-carbon dated to c2700-25000bc and the later to c2300bc. The slipway however has been dated to 3000 +-80 bc and is stratigraphically earlier than Bell A. {3}
A number of finds have been retrieved from the site including a flint flake, some flint chips and a digging stick of oak. {7}
References:
| 1 |
Detailed records - Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division 1978 ST44SW36 (SCC Planning Department) |
| 2 |
Mention - Somerset Levels Project. 1976 vol 2, 7 |
| 3 |
Mention - Somerset Levels Project. 1975 vol 1, 54 |
| 4 |
Mention - Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 1970 vol 36, 145 |
| 5 |
Excavation report - Somerset Levels Project. Coles, J.M et al 1980 "The Baker Site: a Neolithic Platform" vol 6, 6-23 |
| 6 |
Description - Coles, J.M and B.J 1986 "Sweet Track to Glastonbury...", 79-81 |
| 7 |
Detailed records - Somerset Levels Project finds sheets 065 and 065a-b |
| 8 |
Finds stored - Somerset County Museum 130.1986.331, 359, 639-42, 656-63, 696-718, 783, 787 and 790 |
| 9 |
Finds stored - Somerset County Museum 130.1986.801, 856-7, 862, 864, 1304-20, 1455-7, 1474, 1609-11 |
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