Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2012

Royal Commission senior investigator, Richard Suggett, advising on old family photographs

Last weekend Royal Commission staff visited the Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2012 show in Olympia, London. Over the three-day show, nearly 12,000 people visited the huge array of exhibition stands and talks, forming the world’s largest family history show, as they sought to uncover more about their ancestors. Many people visited the Royal Commission stand with a variety of enquiries -some bought old family photographs and one enquirer even brought an early-nineteenth-century (1815) ship’s log-book of a packet-boat, the Packet Wherry, captained by his ancestor Owen Hughes. The Anglesey Packet boat conveyed Post Office mail to and from Ireland and elsewhere. It frequently passed the famous Skerries Lighthouse  (NPRN 41287) which is described in the Royal Commission’s book on lighthouses. Many visitors to the stall took the opportunity to join the Friends of the Royal Commission and purchase books with their 10% discount.

Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:

Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

The Story of Wales

Last night, BBC Wales broadcast the first of a major series of programmes telling the history of Wales over six episodes. This first episode: ‘The Makings of Wales’ looked at the earliest-known human burial in Western Europe at Paviland Cave, the biggest prehistoric copper mine in the world at the Great Orme, Llandudno, the Neolithic chambered tomb at Barclodiad y Gawres (The Giantesses Apronful), the Iron Age hillfort of Tre’r Ceiri (City of the Giants). Caerleon Roman sites and inscribed stones at St Illtyd’s church, Llantwit Major, and finally a look at the cathedral church at St Davids in time for Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant (St Davids Day) on Thursday, when the next episode: ‘Power Struggles’ covers the medieval period of Welsh history.


If you want to find out more about the sites covered, follow the links below:

• Paviland Cave
• Barclodiad y Gawres cave
• Great Orme Copper Mine
• Tre’r Ceiri
• Isca Legionary Fortress
• St Illtyd’s Church

Other links:

• Link to The Story of Wales website
• Add your own photographs to People's Collection Wales to help tell the story of Wales

Finally, the Royal Commission's superbly illustrated  book, Hidden Histories: Discovering the Heritage of Wales is an informative companion for anyone interested in the life and heritage of Wales and is now available for only £19.95 or alternatively only £17.95 for Friends of the Royal Commission with their special 10% discount.

Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

First Draft of the Computer Animation of Maenofferen Slate Mine

Still image from the first draft of the animation, showing the incline climbing up from the underground slate mining chambers and the Winding House featured in an earlier blog post in the background NPRN: 400427

Three slate extraction sites are being recreated through computer animation as part of the 'Atlanterra' project. The surveys of Maenofferen, Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is an example of an underground slate quarry, (NPRN: 400427) were carried out in October 2010 and a request for information was made in order to find out additional information about the history of this particular mine.


The first draft of the animation has been completed, and Investigator Spencer Smith is working with See 3D, the company producing the animation, in order to ensure that the finished product is as accurate a representation as possible of this important slate mine.

Acknowledgement: thanks are due to See 3D.



Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Welsh Coal and Slate Wrecks - Exciting Research Project

On Saturday 19th February the Royal Commission, along with the Nautical Archaeology Society, co-hosted a training day providing an introduction to historical research. The event was held at the National Library of Wales with Royal Commission staff leading the day.

Cadw has recently started a strategic research project into coal and slate wrecks around the coast of Wales and is inviting sports divers to become actively involved in survey and research work. The purpose of the training day was to introduce participants to the extensive documentary archive around Wales and to invite divers to adopt one of the coal and slate wrecks located around the Welsh coast.

The training day provided an introduction to the coal and slate industry, with a talk given by Royal Commission Researcher, Daryl Leeworthy.

Nautical Archaeology Society co-ordinator, Ian Cundy, gave a talk about his own extensive research on the ‘Diamond’ wreck site on Sarn Badrig’s causeway. This research has confirmed that the wreck is almost certainly not the Diamond, as it is too big and of insufficient age.

Royal Commission Maritime officer, Deanna Groom, introduced participants to a variety of documentary sources containing details of ship wrecks. They were then given the opportunity to put this knowledge to practical use in the National Library’s reading rooms.

Members of the Nautical Archaeology Society studying historic Admiralty charts for evidence of ship wrecks.

Royal Commission Maritime Officer, Deanna Groom and Nautical Archaeology Society member search for ship wreck information amongst historic estate papers.

In preparing for the training day Royal Commission staff came across a ship wreck inventory dating from 1583, amongst papers from the Penrice and Margam estate. The inventory is written in secretary script, and Royal commission Reading Room staff member, Anna Skarzynska, an expert in transcribing historical script, was able to translate it. She identified that the vessel had six cannon on board as well as personal items, including flasks, salvers and a ladle!


Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Swydd Wag - Cadw: Rheolwr Ymgysylltu Cyhoeddus a Chymraeg

Cadw: Rheolwr Ymgysylltu Cyhoeddus a Chymraeg.

Cadw
Rheolwr Ymgysylltu Cyhoeddus a Chymraeg
Band cyflog £27,700–£33,200

Bydd y swydd newydd gyffrous yma yn rhoi cyfle unigryw i’r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus fireinio’i sgiliau a’i brofiad presennol i ddatblygu rhaglen arloesol o ddigwyddiadau a gweithgareddau yn henebion Cadw er mwyn hybu a dathlu treftadaeth, iaith a diwylliant Cymru.

Bydd deiliad y swydd yn gweithio fel rhan o’r Tîm Dehongli yng Nghangen Ymgysylltu Cyhoeddus a Llywodraethiant Cadw i ddyfeisio a gwireddu digwyddiadau a rhaglenni o weithgareddau ar safleoedd Cadw. Bydd yn gweithio gyda chydweithwyr yn Cadw ar draws yr holl ddisgyblaethau a chyda chymunedau lleol, grwpiau buddiannau arbennig a chontractwyr i helpu i sicrhau bod safleoedd treftadaeth yn lleoedd dealladwy, difyr a pherthnasol i ymweld â nhw. Bydd hefyd yn gweithredu fel cydlynydd Cymraeg Cadw, gan gymryd yr awenau wrth roi polisïau Cymraeg ar waith ac wrth nodi ffyrdd i brif-ffrydio iaith a diwylliant Cymru mewn modd llawn dychymyg yn rhaglenni cyhoeddus Cadw.

Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus yn gallu cyfathrebu’n effeithiol (ar lafar ac mewn ysgrifen) yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg. Bydd yn meddu ar gymhwyster mewn archaeoleg, hanes neu reoli treftadaeth ar lefel gradd gyntaf o leiaf neu brofiad cyfatebol perthnasol arwyddocaol. Bydd ganddo ef neu ganddi hi brofiad pendant o drefnu digwyddiadau yng nghyd-destun diwylliant neu dreftadaeth.

Swydd barhaol ac amser-llawn yw hon, ond mae’n agored i ymgeiswyr rhan-amser ar sail rhannu’r swydd.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am y swydd, ewch i:
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/about/workforcadw/jobvacancies/currentvacancies/?skip=1&lang=cy ac er mwyn gwneud cais https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTIzNDk2MCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT0xMzM4Jm93bmVyPTUwMjMzNjgmb3duZXJ0eXBlPWZhaXImYnJhbmRfaWQ9MCZyZXFzaWc9MTMyOTMyMDUxMy05Y2FkNjExOWVmMzczNjAyYzM0NDg1NjEyNzZhZWFjNGQ5ZTAzMjZk.
Y dyddiad cau yw 9 Mawrth 2012.

Tanysgrifiwch i Newyddion Treftadaeth Cymru a chofrestrwch ar gyfer yr RSS porthiant llawn: cliciwch y botwm RSS hwn a thanysgrifiwch!

Rydym hefyd ar gael ar:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Job Vacancy - Cadw: Public Engagement and Welsh Language Manager

Cadw: Public Engagement and Welsh Language Manager.

Cadw
Public Engagement and Welsh Language Manager
Salary band £27,700–£33,200

This exciting new post will provide the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to fine tune existing skills and experience to develop an innovative programme of events and activities at Cadw monuments to promote and celebrate Welsh heritage, culture and language.

The postholder will work as part of the Interpretation Team in the Public Engagement and Governance Branch of Cadw to devise and implement events and programmes of activity at Cadw sites. She/he will work with Cadw colleagues across all disciplines and with local communities, special interest groups and contractors to help make heritage sites intelligible, stimulating and relevant places to visit. She/he will also act as Cadw’s Welsh language co-ordinator, both providing a lead on the implementation of Welsh language policies and also identifying ways in which the Welsh language and culture can be mainstreamed imaginatively in Cadw’s public programming.

The successful candidate will be able to communicate fluently and effectively (both spoken and written) in Welsh and English. She/he will also have a qualification in archaeology, history or heritage management to first degree level at least or significant relevant equivalent experience. She/he will have demonstrable experience of organising events in a cultural or heritage context.

The post is permanent and full time, although it is open to part-time candidates on a job share basis.

To find out more about this vacancy visit:
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/about/workforcadw/jobvacancies/currentvacancies/?lang=en and to apply https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTIzNDk2MCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT0xMzM4Jm93bmVyPTUwMjMzNjgmb3duZXJ0eXBlPWZhaXImYnJhbmRfaWQ9MCZyZXFzaWc9MTMyOTMyMDUxMy05Y2FkNjExOWVmMzczNjAyYzM0NDg1NjEyNzZhZWFjNGQ5ZTAzMjZk.
Closing date 9 March 2012.


Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Digital Past 2012 - Conference Blog Launched

The Digital Past 2012 blog

This year’s Digital Past conference is fast approaching and to help those who will be attending keep in touch with what’s happening at the event a conference blog has been launched. Available in both Welsh and English: http://gorffenoldigidol2012.blogspot.com or http://digitalpast2012.blogspot.com

The Digital Past 2012 blog provides delegates with all the information they need to plan their time at the conference.

As well as being useful for those coming to Llandrindod Wells on the 22nd and 23rd of February, the Digital Past 2012 blog allows those who aren’t at the event to view all the latest tweets from the conference floor (#DigitalPast) and, after the event, all papers and presentations will be available through the blog, too.

For more information on Digital Past 2012, please view the blog here:

• http://gorffenoldigidol2012.blogspot.com (Welsh)
• http://digitalpast2012.blogspot.com (English)

Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Animation of a Rare Steam Engine by the Atlanterra Project

The Component Parts of the Steam Engine at the National Slate Museum, Llanberis

As part of the Atlanterra Project, a rare steam engine is being reassembled and brought back to life using a computer animation. Investigator Spencer Smith has photographed the pieces of the steam engine which formerly powered a slate mill at Pen-y-Bryn Quarry, Nantlle (NPRN 33674) in Gwynedd, and are stored at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis.

The steam engine was probably built by the Mather Company and has some embellishments, suggesting that it was built to power something more prestigious before it found its way to the Nantlle Valley in the late 1850s.

The next stage is to record all the component parts of the engine, comparing them to a reconstruction drawing by the artist Falcon Hildred, in order to understand how the engine worked. This information will then be passed to the animation company commissioned to carry out the work, and will be available for the public to view by the summer of 2012.


Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales

Archeoleg Sgomer a Sgogwm

The Archaeology of Skomer and Skokholm

Dyddiad y digwyddiad: 19 Chwefror 2012, 15:30

Lleoliad: Canolfan Gynadledda’r Five Valleys yn Nailworth, Swydd Gaerloyw.

Math o ddigwyddiad: Darlith

Ymwelydd arbennig: Dr Oliver Davies

Manylion pellach:
Ddydd Sul, 19 Chwefror am 3.30pm, bydd y Dr Oliver Davies, un o archeolegwyr y Comisiwn Brenhinol, yn rhoi darlith yn Aduniad Cyfeillion Sgomer a Skokholm yng Nghanolfan Gynadledda’r Five Valleys yn Nailworth, Swydd Gaerloyw. Teitl y sgwrs fydd The Archaeology of Skomer and Skokholm a bydd yn seiliedig ar arolwg uwch-dechnoleg diweddar y Comisiwn Brenhinol o’r ynys a’r canlyniadau arloesol.

Yn ôl i'r dyddiadur digwyddiadau

Darlleniad Pellach:

• Recent Work On Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire | Heritage of Wales ...
  Skomer has no large grazing animals and so the vegetation is dominated by coarse tussocky grass. A field visit in August 2010 revealed that this formed a kind of fescue mattress effectively obscuring much of the archaeology ...
• Royal Commission films with Ray Mears on Skomer Island ... As part of the Skomer Island project, where the Royal Commission is working with partners to map and understand the well-preserved prehistoric houses and fields, we were invited to film with Ray Mears for his new television ...
• Skomer Island Preserved Remains Of A Prehistoric Settlement ... Ynys Sgomer – Tŷ cynhanesyddol ac iddo waliau cerrig. Cwt rhif 20 yw'r enw arno. Skomer Island - Prehistoric stone-walled house, known as hut number 20. (Image/Llun: DS2010_550_005 / NPRN: 24369) ...
• The Archaeology of Skomer Island | Heritage of Wales News Royal Commission investigators Louise and Toby, have just been on a visit to Skomer Island situated off the coast of Pembrokeshire. This wonderful place is principally famed for its wildlife, however, its archaeology is equally ...

Tanysgrifiwch i Newyddion Treftadaeth Cymru a chofrestrwch ar gyfer yr RSS porthiant llawn: cliciwch y botwm RSS hwn a thanysgrifiwch!

Rydym hefyd ar gael ar:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales