Cambria Farm facts for kids

Cambria Farm is an important historical site in Somerset, England. It is located between the villages of Ruishton and Taunton. This area was once home to people from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman Britain periods. It was a busy rural settlement for many centuries.

Discovering Cambria Farm

In 2007, experts from a group called Context One started looking at the site. They did this before a new "Park and Ride" car park was built nearby. This car park is close to Junction 25 of the M5 motorway.

Digging Up the Past

More detailed digging, called excavation, happened in early 2009. These digs helped uncover many secrets from the past. They found evidence of human life dating from about 1500 BC to 400 AD. That's a very long time ago!

What Was Found?

The archaeologists found special areas called burnt mounds from the Bronze Age. These were places where people heated stones, perhaps for cooking or bathing. They also found the remains of roundhouses. These were circular homes used in the Middle Bronze Age and Late Iron Age. One of these roundhouses was quite large, about 17 meters (56 feet) across!

People also created a field system in the Late Iron Age. This was a way of dividing up land for farming. This system was used for a very long time, even into the Roman period, until about 3rd or 4th century AD.

Ancient Buildings and Burials

Besides the roundhouses, the digs revealed other buildings. There were three possible rectangular buildings made with wooden posts. These were different from the roundhouses.

A Roman field system was also found, showing how Romans organized their farms. The most interesting discovery was a small cemetery. It held the remains of 30 people who were buried there. These burials date from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, during the time of Roman rule.

Treasures from the Site

Many interesting objects were found at Cambria Farm. These items help us understand what life was like for the people who lived there.

Everyday Items and Tools

Some of the finds include iron shears, which are like scissors. Iron spear tips were also found, showing tools used for hunting or defense. Animal bones give clues about the animals people ate or kept. Flint tools, made from a type of stone, were also common.

People also used loom weights. These were heavy objects used when weaving cloth.

Jewelry and Coins

Archaeologists found brooches from both the Iron Age and Roman times. These were like decorative pins used to fasten clothes. Roman coins were also discovered, showing that people traded and used money.

Special Pottery and Weapons

Examples of Glastonbury type pottery were found. This is a special kind of pottery made in the Iron Age. Three Iron Age spearheads were also among the discoveries.

All these amazing finds will be displayed at the Museum of Somerset. This will allow everyone to see and learn about the history of Cambria Farm.