Aggregates_Levy

The Historic Environment Service has received funding from English Heritage (Aggregates Levy Sustainable Fund) to complete a survey of the archaeology within the aggregate mineral producing areas of Somerset.

Somerset has a wide range of geologies that are exploited as aggregates including; limestone, sandstone and andesite from the Mendip Hills, sand and gravel from Wellington, sandstone from the Quantock Hills and sand and gravel from the Levels and Moors.

The project will enhance the archaeological record of the aggregate mineral producing areas in the county by collecting and integrating information from the following sources:
· Geological information for the County.
· The Somerset County Historic Environment Record.
· The National Monuments Record.
· Published and unpublished text and map information relevant to the geology, archaeology and history of the area.
· Aerial photography and LiDAR information where available.

The Somerset Sites and Monuments Record database and Geographic Information System will be used to assimilate and present the recovered data. This will inform strategic and local management policies, act as a basis for further academic research and for strategic and development control planning advice.

The project will result in a written and illustrated report, the updating of the County Historic Environment Record and Geographic Information System. Areas of past, present and future aggregate extraction will be summarised and the level of existing information relating to past activity in the aggregate extraction areas will be assessed and a draft research agenda drawn up to address areas of insufficient information.