This    page    was    archived    in    Jan    2008;    click    on    this    line    for     the    current    website

Roman Rake

Mendip’s oldest dig?

The Mendip Caving Group has been given permission to take on a previously un-named dig in the field between the Charterhouse Field Studies Centre and Waterwheel Swallet. The site is in a lead-mining rake and was originally an archaeological excavation carried out by Professor Michael Todd in 1994 and later by John Cornwall. The site is listed in the Somerset Historic Environment Record as PRN 15799.

The archaeologists discovered “narrow cuts down into the limestone for a considerable depth”, and encountered “natural cave system”. The mine was dated to between AD 50 and 100 (making this the oldest cave dig on Mendip?). The site is on Access Land and is managed by English Nature who wanted the site tidied up. Over the weekend of 8/9th May 2006, with the permission of Mr Small who owns the land, MCG stabilised the entrance shaft then fitted a grille and lock to make the rake safer.

There are several large, jammed boulders in the rake, possibly thrown down by miners after the rake was worked out, and these need to be stabilised before digging can recommence. At the bottom of the entrance shaft, which is currently about 4m deep, there are two ways on. A narrow rift sets off in the direction of Waterwheel Swallet.  Back under the jammed boulders, a possible way down is blocked by mud and boulders.

We certainly have not yet reached the great depth attained by the archaeologists, nor have we entered their cave system, but the dig has potential for both. The rake can be seen on the surface heading directly for Blackmoor Shaft, with Waterwheel Swallet in between, so who knows what may be found? 

Removing the spoil from the archaeological dig	Placing RSJs across the rake to support the grille

The new entrance
	Rift heading towards Waterwheel Swallet with 1m metal fence rod for scale

Updated 13-11-06