Longforth Farm facts for kids
Site visit during excavations, July 2013
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| Location | Tonedale, Wellington |
|---|---|
| Region | Somerset |
| Coordinates | 50°59′13″N 3°13′51″W / 50.98694°N 3.23083°W |
| Area | 0.4 hectares (0.99 acres) |
| History | |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Abandoned | 14th century |
| Periods | Bronze Age |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 2013 |
| Archaeologists | Wessex Archaeology |
| Ownership | Bloor Homes |
Longforth Farm is an important archaeological site located near Wellington, in Somerset, England. It gives us a peek into ancient times, showing evidence of both the Bronze Age and a large medieval building.
This amazing site was found in 2013. It covers about 0.4 hectares, which is roughly the size of a small park. Archaeologists discovered it before new houses were built in the area.
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What Was Found at Longforth Farm?
During the excavations, archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology carefully dug up the site. They found many clues about the people who lived there long ago. These discoveries help us understand their lives and how they built things.
Medieval Building Discoveries
One of the most exciting finds was the stone foundations of a large medieval building. This structure was laid out around courtyards, suggesting it was an important place. It might have been a manor house or a large farm.
The building had decorated floor tiles, which are very special. These tiles look similar to those found at Glastonbury Abbey, a famous historical site. This connection suggests that the people who lived at Longforth Farm were quite wealthy or important.
Archaeologists also found pieces of roof slates and glazed ceramic roof tiles. These show us what the roof of the medieval building looked like. The pottery found at the site helps experts date when people lived there. This pottery dates from the 12th to the 14th centuries.
Bronze Age Landscape
Before the medieval building, the area was part of a Bronze Age landscape. The Bronze Age was a time when people used bronze to make tools and weapons. While the medieval structure is more obvious, the site also holds clues about even older human activity. This shows that people have lived in this area for thousands of years.
Why is Longforth Farm Important?
Longforth Farm is important because it was a previously unknown site. Its discovery adds a lot to our understanding of history in Somerset. It shows how people lived, built, and used the land during different periods.
The site helps us learn about medieval architecture and daily life. It also gives us hints about the earlier Bronze Age period. Finding such a well-preserved site is rare and provides valuable information for historians and archaeologists.