Images and Site Records from a Watching Brief at Magnolia House, Washford, Somerset, September 2022

This collection comprises images and scanned site records from an archaeological watching brief by Headland Archaeology at Magnolia House, Washford, Somerset. The watching brief took place between the 19th and 22nd September 2022 during groundworks associated with the construction of two new dwellings and the demolition of the existing Magnolia House.
The below-ground stratigraphy of the Site consisted of two recent pet burials cut into topsoil, a topsoil layer, a subsoil layer, and undisturbed geological deposits. No deposits were suitable for environmental sampling.
Eight structures relating to Washford Mill, which was established on the site by at least the 16th century, were identified: Walls [001], [002], [003], [006] and [012], Steps [005] and Niche [010]. Archaeological evidence and historic map regression demonstrate that Walls [002] and [003] were boundary walls; Wall [001] and [012], Steps [005] and Niche [010] were external features of the southern building of Washford Mill; and Wall [006] was an internal wall of the southern building of Washford Mill. Wall [009] formed part of the foundations of the late 19th century glasshouse erected next to the immediate south of the southern building of the mill. Wall [007] may also be of 19th century date. These structures are first shown together on mapping dating to the mid-19th century but may not have been built at the same time and could conceivably be as early as 16th century in date. However, on present evidence a 19th century date is thought most likely. Wall [008], concrete rainwater tank [004], and concrete surface (011) are thought most likely to have been constructed during or after the erection of Magnolia House, which occurred during the late 1960s or early 1970s.