An Ecological Context for the Post-Roman Archaeology of the Somerset Moors (South West England, UK)

Abstract In contrast to the widely reported research into the wetland prehistory of the Somerset Moors and Levels, the wetland archaeology for the historic periods of this region of south west England has always been less well known, being reliant on mostly non-wetland sources of information, e.g. documentary evidence, cartographic studies and inferences made from dry land archaeological sites. This study attempts to correct this imbalance by outlining palynological and radiocarbon evidence obtained in the last fifteen years from Godney Moor that suggests that palaeoenvironmental evidence may survive in at least certain parts of the region. Furthermore, data from an earlier study made in the 1940–50s are highlighted that would indicate more palaeoenvironmental information can be discerned for the Post-Roman period in previous studies if these findings are re-examined in the light of recent advances in knowledge.