Uplands Initiative Elenydd (Central) Archaeological Survey (Part One)

Uplands Initiative Elenydd (Central) 
Archaeological Survey (Part One)

Crynodeb
Mae Elenydd (Canol) yn ymestyn dros 23.47 cilomedr sgwâr ac yn ffurfio tua thraean o ardal ehangach ym mryniau canolbarth Cymru a archwiliwyd gan Trysor yn ystod haf a hydref 2009. Ceir adroddiadau ar wahân ar gyfer arolygon ardaloedd De a Gogledd Elenydd. Cariwyd y gwaith allan gyda chymorth ariannol Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru, fel rhan o brosiect Menter yr Ucheldiroedd.

Mae Elenydd (Canol) yn cynnwys ardal o dirwedd fynyddig, anghysbell rhwng rhannau uchaf cymoedd Elan a Chlaerwen. Lleolir ym mhlwyf Llansanffraid Cwmdeuddwr, yng ngorllewin yr hen Sir Faesyfed, rhan o sir Powys bellach. Dyma ardal sydd heb gael ei effeithio’n drwm gyda gweithgareddau dynol, ar wahân i’w defnydd fel tir pori gan ffermydd y cymoedd cyfagos. Dim ond dwy fferm fynyddig sydd o fewn ei ffiniau heddiw. Y pentref agosaf yw Pentref Elan, 4km i’r dwyrain, tra bod tref Rhaeadr Gwy rhyw 8km i ffwrdd i’r un cyfeiriad. Yr unig ffordd gyhoeddus i gyffwrdd â’r ardal yw’r heol garw sy’n cysylltu Dyffryn Elan â Ffair Rhos, Ceredigion, gan ddilyn ochr ogleddol Llyn Claerwen. Serch hynny, mae’r ffordd hon yn rhy arw i ganiatáu llawer o drafnidiaeth. Ceir llwybr arall, sy’n croesi trwy ganol yr ardal o Ffair Rhos i ran uchaf Dyffryn Elan, sef y llwybr a elwir “Ffordd y Mynachod” heddiw. Mae hon yn un o’r ychydig ffyrdd cyhoeddus yn Elenydd (Canol).

Yn ystod y Canol Oesoedd, ffurfia’r ardal hon rhan o Gwmdeuddwr, un o ystadau abaty Ystrad Fflur, Ceredigion. Ar ôl Diddymiad y Mynachlogydd, roedd yr hen ystâd y mynachod wedi syrthio i ddwylo preifat fel rhan o Ystâd Cwm Elan. Daeth y rhan fwyaf o’r ystâd yn eiddo i Gorfforaeth Birmingham yn ystod yr 1890au, pan roddwyd hawl iddynt, drwy ddeddf gwlad, feddiannu dyffrynnoedd Elan a Chlaerwen, a’r tiroedd cyfagos. Gwnaed hyn er mwyn creu llynnoedd enwog Dyffryn Elan i gyflenwi dŵr i Ganolbarth Lloegr a chymoedd De Cymru. Llyn Claerwen oedd yr olaf o’r llynnoedd i agor, ym 1952. Hyd heddiw, mae bryniau Elenydd (Canol) o dan reolaeth Ystâd Elan, sydd bellach yn nwylo Dŵr Cymru.

Cofnodwyd 122 o safleoedd ac olion archaeolegol gan yr arolwg maes, y rhan fwyaf o’r rhain yn safleoedd a nodwyd am y tro gyntaf. Dyma gyfanswm hynod isel am ardal fynyddig o’r maint yma. Ymhlith prif ganfyddiadau’r arolwg oedd rhai carneddau claddu sy’n dyddio I Oes yr Efydd, yn ogystal ag ychydig o gytiau hir, sydd o bosibl yn dyddio i’r oes pan fu’r ardal yn nwylo mynachod Ystrad Fflur. Serch hynny, dominyddir y cofnod archaeolegol gan safleoedd ôl-ganoloesol neu fodern, llawer ohonynt yn gysylltiedig â gweithgareddau Ystâd Elan.


Adnabyddir Elenydd fel ardal sy’n gyfoethog mewn bywyd gwyllt, yn enwedig mewn rhywogaethau o adar a phlanhigion. Un o nodweddion amlycaf Elenydd heddiw yw’r trwch o laswellt y waun (Molinia Caerulea), sydd bellach yn gorchuddio rhannau helaeth o’r tir yma. Mae’n rhwystr difrifol i archaeolegwyr yn y maes, gan guddio olion archaeolegol a gwneud y tir yn anodd ei gerdded. Yn ogystal, mae’n achosi dirywiad yn ansawdd y porfeydd mynyddig a bioamrywiaeth y fro yn gyffredinol. Mawnogydd a geir dros rannau sylweddol o Elenydd (Canol) hefyd, ond ychydig o dystiolaeth sydd am dorri mawn nac erydiad o’r mawn yn gyffredinol.

Ychydig iawn o ymwelwyr sy’n mentro allan ar y bryniau yma, ac mae’r ardal yn cael ei gyfrif fel un o’r ardaloedd mwyaf anghysbell a digyfnewid yng Nghymru. Gall y cynnydd parhaol mewn poblogrwydd gweithgareddau hamdden megis cerdded a beicio mynydd newid y sefyllfa yn y dyfodol. Gobeithir y bydd y cofnod cyflawn o olion archaeolegol yr ardal a grëwyd gan y prosiect hwn yn fodd i ddiogelu’r dystiolaeth frau am weithgarwch dynol ar fryniau Elenydd.


Summary
The Elenydd (Central) study area extends across some 23.47km2 and forms about one third of a larger area surveyed in the Cambrian Mountains by Trysor during the summer and autumn of 2009. Separate reports have been prepared for the surveys of Elenydd (North) and Elenydd (South). The projects were undertaken with grant-aid from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales, as part of their Uplands Initiative project.

Elenydd (Central) is focused on a remote hilly area which lays between the Claerwen and upper Elan valleys. It is in the parish of Llansanffraid Cwmdeuddwr, in western Radnorshire, part of the modern county of Powys. It is an area which appears to have seen very little human activity apart from pastoral farming and has only two occupied hill farms within its boundaries. The nearest village is Elan Village, 4km to the east, whilst the town of Rhayader lies 8km in the same direction. The only public road through the study area is the rough track which connects the Elan Valley with Ffair Rhos in Ceredigion, which runs along the northern edge of the Claerwen reservoir, via Claerwen farm, at the southern edge of the area. This track is too rough to carry road traffic and is therefore rarely used. A long distance trackway runs through the heart of Elenydd (Central), from the Ffair Rhos and Strata Florida area in Ceredigion to the upper Elan valley, the so-called “Monks’ Way” or “Monks’ Trod”. This is one of very few public footpaths in the district and is also infrequently used.

During medieval times, the area formed a part of Cwmdeuddwr, an upland grange of Strata Florida abbey, Ceredigion. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the grange was transformed into the private Cwm Elan estate. During the 1890s the whole district passed into the ownership of the Birmingham Corporation, when an Act of Parliament granted the Corporation permission to occupy the Elan and Claerwen valleys, and the water catchments of each river. This created a new Elan Estate focused on the famous Elan Valley reservoirs, constructed to supply water to the English Midlands and the South Wales valleys. Claerwen was the last of the reservoirs to appear, not being opened until 1952. To the present day, the hills of Elenydd (Central) are managed by the Elan Estate, now in the hands of Welsh Water.

The field survey recorded 122 archaeological sites in the area, most of which were noted for the first time. This is a very low figure for an upland area of this size. Amongst the most significant discoveries were a small number of Bronze Age funerary cairns and several long huts, some of which may have been in use in medieval times, when the area was controlled by the monks of Strata Florida. The record is, however, dominated by post medieval and modern archaeology, much of which is associated with the activities of the Elan Estate.

Elenydd (Central) is rich in terms of its wildlife, especially in terms of bird species and its flora. However, one of the most important characteristics of Elenydd (Central) is the thick mat of purple moor-grass (Molinia Caerulea) which now covers a significant portion of the area. This proved a hindrance to the archaeological survey as it obscures surface features and makes the land difficult to walk. It is also affecting the quality of the upland pasture and the bio-diversity of the area in general. Elenydd (Central) also has extensive areas of peat bog, with remarkably little evidence for peat cutting or peat erosion.

The Elenydd landscape is considered to be amongst the most remote and undisturbed in Wales, and this part of it is rarely frequented by visitors. It is not impossible that the rise in popularity for outdoor pursuits might yet have an impact. It is hoped that the complete record of archaeological features created by this project will help protect the fragile evidence of human activity in the area and enable an increased understanding of the history and development of this special landscape.



Related Uplands Archaeology Links:
Read in full: Uplands Initiative Elenydd (Central) Archaeological Survey (Part One) (PDF file, 5.5MB)
The Uplands Archaeology Initiative Royal Commission Website

Launch of Archwilio - Access To 100,000 Records By The Welsh Archaeological Trusts

The first of July sees the launch of the new on-line access system to Wales' Historic Environment Records - Archwilio - by the Minister for the Heritage Alun Ffred Jones AM at the Treftadaeth Conference at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

The system gives access to over 100,000 records maintained by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.

Investigating a probable Roman villa near Aberystwyth

Abermagwr Project 2010

Investigating a probable Roman villa near Aberystwyth

What are archaeologists doing in Abermagwr this summer?

We think we have found a Roman villa buried beneath fields on the outskirts of Abermagwr. There are no Roman villas currently known in Ceredigion, and none this far north or west in Wales. We are carrying out a small excavation this summer to try to date the building.

When was an archaeological site found at Abermagwr?

Aerial archaeologists from Cambridge University, flying over Abermagwr in 1979, first saw green lines or ‘cropmarks’ in the fields caused by old buried ditches. In the summer of 2006 the Royal Commission overflew Abermagwr and saw cropmarks of a great double-ditched enclosure, with a stone building inside. A circular Iron Age farmstead was also discovered close by. Both sites lie a mile north of Trawsgoed Roman fort.

What do we know about the probable Roman villa?

In 2009 a magnetometry survey, like the ‘geofizz’ of the Time Team, was used to scan the field. It revealed the tell-tale floor plan of a building with stone foundations and two projecting wings, most likely to be a Roman villa.

Old Trawsgoed estate maps do not show any buildings on this site in the last 300 years, and its plan is unlike any medieval houses or churches. It is similar to excavated examples of ‘winged-corridor’ Roman villas in south Wales and England, built between AD 70 and AD 400. The building faces due south, maximising sunlight to the front corridor and rooms. A small room at the back could be a stoking room for a hypocaust – a system of central heating with floors raised up on pillars. We would expect this building to have been home to a wealthy farmer or landowner, at the centre of a large estate. The Abermagwr villa probably had a tiled roof and possibly even mosaic floors in the principal rooms, especially the dining-room. It sat within a large rectangular enclosure.

What excavations are planned?

Archaeologists are only planning a small-scale ‘evaluation’ exercise this year, just large enough to recover finds to date the building and, hopefully, show its relationship to the enclosing ditches. The main rooms of the villa will not be explored.  The dig is funded by the Cambrian Archaeological Association, with equipment loaned by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust. It is being directed by Dr Toby Driver of the Royal Commission based in Aberystwyth and Dr Jeffrey Davies, a Roman expert formerly with the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University, who excavated at the nearby Trawsgoed Roman fort.

Can we visit the excavations?

The site is on private land, but the landowner has kindly allowed some local schools to visit the dig. People can visit the dig via a footbridge off the Abermagwr-Pontrhydygroes road while excavations are in progress in July, but there is no parking close to the site. We hope to keep the local paper updated and to give a public talk in the autumn to tell people what we have found.

How can I find out more?

The Abermagwr site can be found on the Royal Commissions’ online database, www.coflein.gov.uk . Search for ‘Abermagwr’ or ‘Nant Magwr Roman site’ in the Quick Search option. The Internet can be searched for ‘Trawsgoed Villa’ - there are lots of references and articles already online. Alternatively, contact Toby Driver on 01970  621207 or toby.driver@rcahmw.gov.uk

Further Abermagwr information

Abermagwr Link to Coflein

Prosiect Abermagwr 2010

Ymchwilio i fila Rufeinig debygol ger Aberystwyth

Beth mae archaeolegwyr yn ei wneud yn Abermagwr yr haf hwn?

Rydyn ni’n credu i ni ddod o hyd i fila Rufeinig o dan gaeau ar gyrion Abermagwr. Gan nad oes yr un fila Rufeinig yn hysbys yng Ngheredigion ar hyn o bryd, na’r un mor bell i’r gogledd a’r gorllewin â hyn yng Nghymru, fe wnawn ni ychydig o waith cloddio yno yn yr haf i geisio pennu dyddiad i’r adeilad.

Pryd y cafwyd hyd i safle archaeolegol yn Abermagwr?

Wrth hedfan dros Abermagwr ym 1979 y gwelodd archaeolegwyr-o’r-awyr o Brifysgol Caergrawnt linellau gwyrdd neu ‘ôl-gnydau’ yn y caeau gyntaf. Achoswyd y rheiny gan hen ffosydd a gawsai eu claddu. Yn ystod haf 2006, wrth hedfan dros Abermagwr, gwelodd y Comisiwn Brenhinol ôl-gnydau lloc mawr ac iddo ffos ddwbl, ac ynddo roedd adeiladau cerrig. Cafwyd hyd hefyd i fferm gron o’r Oes Haearn gerllaw. Mae’r ddau safle filltir i’r gogledd o gaer Rufeinig Trawsgoed.

Beth wyddon ni am y fila Rufeinig debygol?

Yn 2009 defnyddiwyd arolwg magnetometrig, tebyg i ‘geofizz’ y Time Team, i sganio’r cae. Dangosodd hwnnw gynllun llawr adeilad ac iddo sylfeini cerrig a dwy aden ymestynnol, sef fila Rufeinig, yn fwy na thebyg.

Does yr un o hen fapiau ystâd Trawsgoed yn dangos adeilad ar y safle hwn dros y 300 mlynedd diwethaf, ac mae ei gynllun yn wahanol i gynllun tai ac eglwysi’r Oesoedd Canol. Mae’r adeilad yn debyg i’r enghreifftiau o filâu Rhufeinig â ‘choridor adeiniog’ a godwyd rhwng OC70 ac OC400 ac sydd wedi’u cloddio yn ne Cymru ac yn Lloegr. Mae’r adeilad yn wynebu’n union tua’r de er mwyn i gymaint o heulwen â phosibl lifo i’r coridor a’r ffenestri blaen. Gallai ystafell fach yn y cefn fod yn ystafell dân i hypocawst, sef system gwresogi canolog lle mae’r lloriau wedi’u codi ar golofnau. Bydden ni’n disgwyl i’r adeilad fod wedi bod yn gartref i ffermwr neu dirfeddiannwr cyfoethog ac wedi’i godi ar ganol ystâd fawr. Mae’n fwy na thebyg i fila Abermagwr fod â tho teils a hyd yn oed loriau mosaig, efallai, yn y prif ystafelloedd, ac yn enwedig yn yr ystafell fwyta. Safai o fewn lloc mawr petryal.

Pa waith cloddio sydd ar y gweill?

Ymarfer ‘gwerthuso’ graddfa-fach yn unig sydd gan archaeolegwyr mewn golwg eleni, sef dim ond digon i allu dod o hyd i eitemau iddyn nhw allu rhoi dyddiad i’r adeilad a hefyd, gobeithio, i ddangos ei berthynas â’r ffosydd o’i amgylch. Fyddwn ni ddim yn ymchwilio i brif ystafelloedd y fila. Cymdeithas Hynafiaethau Cymru fydd yn ariannu’r cloddio a chawn ni’r offer ar fenthyg gan Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Dyfed. Dr Toby Driver o swyddfa’r Comisiwn Brenhinol yn Aberystwyth, a Dr Jeffrey Davies, arbenigwr ar y Rhufeiniaid, fydd yn cyfarwyddo’r gwaith. Arferai Dr Davies weithio yn Adran Hanes a Hanes Cymru ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth, ac ef gloddiodd y gaer Rufeinig yn Nhrawsgoed gerllaw.

Gawn ni ymweld â’r gwaith cloddio?

Er bod y safle ar dir preifat, mae perchennog y tir wedi bod yn ddigon caredig iawn i ganiatáu i rai ysgolion lleol ymweld â’r lle. Gall pobl ymweld ag ef drwy groesi pont droed oddi ar ffordd Abermagwr-Pont-rhyd-y-groes yn ystod y gwaith cloddio ym mis Gorffennaf, ond does dim lle parcio ger y safle. Rydyn ni’n gobeithio rhoi gwybod i’r papur lleol yn gyson am y datblygiadau, a rhoi anerchiad cyhoeddus yn yr hydref i sôn wrth y cyhoedd am ein darganfyddiadau ni yno.

Sut mae cael gwybod rhagor?

Gallwch chi ddod o hyd i safle Abermagwr ar gronfa ddata ar-lein y Comisiwn Brenhinol, www.coflein.gov.uk . Dewiswch Chwiliad Cyflym a chwiliwch am ‘Abermagwr’ neu safle Rhufeinig ‘Nant Magwr’. Gallwch chi chwilio’r we am ‘Trawsgoed Villa’ - mae peth wmbredd o gyfeiriadau ac erthyglau arni ar-lein eisoes. Dewis arall yw ffonio Toby Driver ar 01970  621207 neu anfon e-bost ato i toby.driver@cbhc.gov.uk

Further Abermagwr information

Abermagwr Link to Coflein

Launch of CADW's Maintenance Matters Website

 Alun Ffred Jones AM, Minister for Heritage (left) with Greg Stevenson,
at the launch of CADW's new website: maintenance matters.

Cynnal a chadw yn fyw!
Mae gwefan newydd Cynnal a Chadw! (www.cynnalachadwcymru.org), sydd wedi ei gynllunio gan Cadw, nawr yn fyw ar ôl cael ei lansio gan Alun Ffred Jones AC, Gweinidog Treftadaeth, a’r cyflwynydd teledu Greg Stevenson yn Fferm Treberfedd, ger Llanbedr Pont Steffan.
Gwaith cynnal a chadw rheolaidd yw’r peth pwysicaf y gall perchnogion ei wneud i ddiogelu ei adeiladau hanesyddol a bwriad gwefan Cynnal a Chadw! yw helpu perchnogion nodi problemau bach yn gynnar, atal difrod difrifol a’r angen am waith atgyweirio drud yn nes ymlaen.
Mae’r wefan yn cynnig cyngor arbennig ynghyd â ffotograffau a lluniau i ddarparu canllaw ar-lein i gynnal  a chadw adeiladau hanesyddol, beth i edrych allan amdano, pryd a sut i’w gadw yn y cyflwr gorau posibl.


Maintenance Matters goes live!

Maintenance Matters! (www.maintenancematterswales.org), a new web resource designed by Cadw,for owners of historic and listed properties, is now live after its launch by Alun Ffred Jones AM, Heritage Minister, and television presenter Greg Stevenson at Treberfedd Farm in Ceredigion.
Routine maintenance is probably the most important action that owners can take to protect their historic buildings and the Maintenance Matters! web resource is aimed at helping owners to spot minor problems early, preventing serious damage and the need for expensive repairs later on.
The website offers expert advice coupled with photographs and drawings to provide an online guide to maintaining historic buildings what to look for, when and how to keep the properties in best possible condition.

Eurwyn Wiliam To Be Honoured By The Gorsedd

On the 16 June 2010 the National Eisteddfod announced the list of those to be honoured by the Gorsedd this year. A number of people are honoured by the Gorsedd each year to celebrate their contribution to Wales.  Eurwyn Wiliam, Chairman of the Royal Commission and his wife Mary are to be honoured at the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod.

Full details: 

http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/content.php?nID=258&newsID=214

Tŷ Mawr's 550th Birthday

The largest restored medieval aisled hall in Wales celebrates its 550th anniversary this year with a series of special weekend events.

Tŷ Mawr near Castle Caereinon is also featured in an upcoming television documentary to mark the event.

Find out more:
Marking medieval Tŷ Mawr's 550th birthday
Tŷ Mawr Coflein Site Details
Tŷ Mawr is a rare surviving example of a Medieval Aisled Hall House.

Fishguard Capel Day

The latest Capel meeting was held at Fishguard on Saturday, May 8^th  and attended by members of RCAHMW working on the Chapel project. As appropriate in this strongly Baptist, the day commenced with a talk on ‘The Welsh Baptist Heritage in West Pembrokeshire’ by the Reverend D Carl Williams, minister at Hermon Welsh Baptist Chapel. This was followed by a short introduction to history of chapel organs and well received organ recital, both held in Hermon, before an opportunity to tour the chapel (NPRN 10937 www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/10937/details).   

After lunch, there was a tour of some of the most notable chapels in the town including Tabernacle Independent Chapel (NPRN 10935, www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/10935/details),  Pentowr Calvinist Methodist chapel (NPRN 30047, www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/30047/details) and Bethel English Baptist Chapel (NPRN 10936, www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/10936/details) . More unusually, there was a visit to St Mary The Virgin Anglican Church (NPRN 193, www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/193/details), marked out for its non-conformist architect, whose religious views to an extent are reflected in the layout of the church. Within the churchyard can also be seen the memorial stone to  Jemima Nicholas ‘The Welsh Heroine’ , who marched to defeat the French invading Fishguard in 1797. The day, as usual, ended with a spectacular tea prepared by the ladies of Hermon Chapel.

The next Capel Meeting will be held in Wrexham on Saturday, 9^th October. For more details of membership and dates of further meetings, as well as downloadable newsletters and publication  visit the Capel website at www.capeli.org.uk. For more details of the RCAHMW Chapels Project contact the Royal Commission at www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Enquiry+Services.

Medieval Remains Buried at Eisteddfod Maes

"As workers were digging a hole to lay a pipe, they came across two ditches believed by experts to be either a ditch surrounding the remains of a small hamlet or medieval drove way,” said Aled Siôn, Director of the Urdd National Eisteddfod. “Naturally, work came to a halt and we had to change our plans pretty quickly and no pipes will be laid in that part of the Maes so as not to disturb the remains.

Link:
Dig With a Difference at Urdd Eisteddfod Site

The Welsh Cottage - Seminar and Book Launch

COMISIWN BRENHINOL HENEBION CYMRU
mewn cysylltiad ag Amgueddfa Cymru

Y Bwthyn Cymreig
Seminar a lansiad llyfr
Sefydliad Gweithwyr Oakdale, Amgueddfa Werin Sain Ffagan, Sain Ffagan, Caerdydd Dydd Llun 24 Mai 2010

Bydd y seminar yn ymchwilio i hanes a chadwraeth y bwthyn traddodiadol, un o nodweddion mwyaf arbennig tirwedd Cymru. Er bod miloedd o fythynnod wedi mynd i ebargofiant dros y ganrif ddiwethaf, dysgwyd llawer iawn wrth astudio’r adeiladau sydd wedi goroesi ac wrth gofnodi rhai eraill cyn iddynt ddarfod o’r tir. Er bod cryn her yn wynebu’r rhai sy’n ceisio sicrhau cadwraeth bythynnod traddodiadol a chadw gwybodaeth am fywydau’r sawl a’u cododd ac a fu’n byw ynddynt, mae’r adeiladau diymhongar hyn yn dal i wneud cyfraniad pwysig i arbenigrwydd lleol ac i ddiwylliant Cymru. Y seminar hwn fydd achlysur lansio arolwg mawr newydd o’r pwnc gan y Gweinidog dros Dreftadaeth, Alun Ffred Jones AC –

Y Bwthyn Cymreig. Arferion adeiladu tlodion y Gymru wledig, 1750-1900
gan Eurwyn Wiliam

10:30 Cofrestru a choffi
11:00 Gair o groeso gan Dr Peter Wakelin (y Comisiwn Brenhinol) a Dr John Williams-Davies (Amgueddfa Cymru)
11:15 Dr Eurwyn Wiliam (Cadeirydd y Comisiwn Brenhinol): Y Bwthyn Cymreig: rhai myfyrdodau
12:00 Taith dywys o waith a bythynnod clom a thoeon gwellt yn Sain Ffagan dan arweiniad Dr Gerallt Nash (Amgueddfa Werin Sain Ffagan)
12:40 Anerchiad gan y Gweinidog dros Dreftadaeth, Alun Ffred Jones AC
13:00 Egwyl cinio: mae mannau arlwyo ar gael yn yr Amgueddfa Werin
14:00 Paul Sambrook (Trysor): Atseiniau o’r Gorffennol
14:30 Judith Alfrey (Cadw): Gofalu am y Bwthyn Cymreig
15:00 Panel o siaradwyr: cadwraeth a defnyddio bythynnod a diogelu technegau traddodiadol – ffyrdd ymlaen
16:00 Te a chloi

Bydd arddangosfa o waith y Comisiwn Brenhinol yno. Bydd copïau o Y Bwthyn Cymreig a chopïau o gyhoeddiadau eraill y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar gael a bydd disgownt o 10% ar eu pris.

I archebu lle’n rhad ac am ddim yn y seminar, cysylltwch â Lilwen Jones yn y cyfeiriad isod neu ar 01970 621200 neu lilwen.jones[AT]cbhc.gov.uk

Gan fod nifer y lleoedd yn gyfyngedig, fe’ch cynghorir i archebu lle’n gynnar.

Related Links:
Y Bwthyn Cymreig

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ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF WALES
in association with Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales

The Welsh Cottage
Seminar and Book Launch
Oakdale Workmen’s Institute, St Fagans National History Museum, St Fagans, Cardiff Monday 24 May 2010

This seminar will explore the history and conservation of the traditional cottage, one of the most distinctive features of the Welsh landscape. Thousands of examples have been lost over the past century, but a great deal has been learned from studying cherished surviving buildings or recording others before they were lost forever. Challenges exist for those seeking to conserve traditional cottages and maintain knowledge about the lives of the people who built them and lived in them. However, these humble buildings continue to make an important contribution to local distinctiveness and to the culture of Wales. The seminar will be the occasion of the official launch, by the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones AM, of a major new survey of the subject –

The Welsh Cottage. Building traditions of the rural poor, 1750-1900
by Eurwyn Wiliam

10:30 Registration and coffee
11:00 Welcome address by Dr Peter Wakelin (Royal Commission) and Dr John Williams-Davies (Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales)
11:15 Dr Eurwyn Wiliam (Chairman, Royal Commission): The Welsh Cottage: some reflections
12:00 Guided tour of clom and thatch work and cottages at St Fagans led by Dr Gerallt Nash (St Fagans National History Museum)
12:40 Address by the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones AM
13:00 Lunch break: catering outlets are available at the National History Museum
14:00 Paul Sambrook (Trysor): Atseiniau o’r Gorffennol / Echoes of the Past
14:30 Judith Alfrey (Cadw): Caring for the Welsh Cottage
15:00 Panel of speakers: conservation and use of cottages and preservation of traditional techniques – ways forward
16:00 Tea and close

There will be an exhibition of the work of the Royal Commission. The Welsh Cottage and other Royal Commission publications will be available at a 10% discount.

For a place at the seminar, which is free of charge, please contact Lilwen Jones at the address below or on 01970 621200 or at: lilwen.jones[AT]rcahmw.gov.uk

As places are limited, you are advised to book early.

Related Links:
The wonders of the Welsh Cottage

Llafur Day School on 19 June 2010

The next Llafur event will be held on Saturday 19 June 2010 at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwth between 10am and 4pm.  The day school on Victorian Wales will celebrate the 90th birthday of Llafur's President, Ieuan Gwynedd Jones. The event is being organised in conjunction with Ceredigion Historical Society and speakers include Ryland Wallace, Russell Davies, Geraint Jenkins, Paul O'Leary and Richard Ireland.  To reserve your free place, please contact me.  Email: s.f.williams[AT]swansea.ac.uk

The following events might be of interest: 

'Biography and identity in the making of British radicals' on Saturday, 22 May 2010, Swansea Museum.  This is a one-day conference in commemoration of the life and work of Nina Fishman, late Honorary Research Professor at Swansea University, also marking the Swansea launch of Nina's Arthur Horner:

A Political Biography (Lawrence and Wishart, 2010).  Further details are attached or are available from Professor Chris Williams, Swansea University.

Email: christopher.m.williams[AT]swansea.ac.uk

On Saturday 12 June 2010, a one-day conference 'Swansea and the Second World War' will be held at Swansea Museum to mark the publication of The Swansea Wartime Diary of Laurie Latchford, 1940-41, edited by Kate Elliott Jones and Wendy Cope and published by the South Wales Record Society.  Further details are attached or are available from Professor Chris Williams, Swansea University.  Email: christopher.m.williams[AT]swansea.ac.uk

Also, the Chartist Annual Conference will be held at the Sorbonne in July.

For further details, please see:

http://education.newport.ac.uk/displayPage.aspx?object_id=12971&type=PAG

Translate Page Text From English Into Welsh

Screen shot from Blogger, showing html code 

You can now read the Heritage in Wales News blog in Welsh, thanks to the Google translate. No matter what page you are viewing, clicking the Cymraeg link above, will translate the page from English into Welsh.

The following code was used:
<a href="#" onClick="javascript:window.location='http://www.google.com/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=en%7Ccy&u='
+ window.location.href;" >Cymraeg</a>

New Heritage Trail In North Montgomeryshire

From May 2010 a new heritage trail will guide visitors through north Montgomeryshire and reveal some of Wales's best kept secrets.

The buildings on the Heritage Trail are: Pendref Chapel and St Myllin's Church, Llanfyllin; Christ Church, Bwlch-y-cibau; the Ann Griffiths Memorial Chapel, Dolanog; Hen Capel John Hughes, Pontrobert; St Tysilio & St Mary's, Meifod; St Michael's, Llanfihangel-yng-ngwynfa; St Wddyn's and Sardis Chapel, Llanwddyn; St Dogfan's and Capel Seion, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant; St Silin's, Llansilin; St Ffraid's, Llansanffraid; St Garmon's, Llanfechain; St Cedwyn's, Llangedwyn and St Melangell's, Pennant Melangell.

Launch event date, the Living Stones Heritage Day, held in Llanfyllin on Saturday, 22 May.

Further Links of Interest:
New trail reveals Montgomeryshire's hidden heritage from BBC

Wedi 7 Talkes To Eurwyn Wiliam Writer Of The Welsh Cottage

A thatched tyddyn, Swtan, Church Bay, Anglesey. In this pre- 1940 photograph the roofs of both the cottage and the nearest outbuilding are tied down to the gables. 
By permission of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, NMW DF106409.
 
Wedi 7 talkes to Eurwyn Wiliam, Chairman of the Royal Commission and writer of its new book 'The Welsh Cottage', interview takes place from a thatched cottage, Swtan, Church Bay, Anglesey, now the only thatched building remaining on the island. Also a chat with a builder/restorer from Llyn.

On S4C 7pm Thursday 2010/05/06

Also see:
Y Bwthyn Cymreig: Arferion adeiladu tlodion y Gymru wledig 1750-1900
The Welsh Cottage: Building traditions of the rural poor 1750-1900

Book Sales
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Bronze Bell; Tal-y-bont Maritime Wreck

The site was found in 1978 by divers from Glaslyn and Harlow Sub Aqua club who came across the large stone blocks, cast and built-up iron guns and a Bronze Bell. The divers formed themselves into the Cae Nest Group and together with the Welsh Institute of Maritime Archaeology and History at the University of Wales (Bangor) applied for site designation and a licence to survey. Haverfordwest Museum offered to conserve the finds and the Royal Armouries undertook to excavate, raise and conserve one of the breech-loading wrought iron guns. Finds include a bronze bell cast with the date 1677 and a stack of pewter concreted to one of the main guns. One of these platters is shaped like a cardinal's hat with a halmark stamp of Lyon dated 1700. Coins from 10 countries suggest a date of post 1702 for the wreck. Other finds include navigational dividers, fine cutlery, a dental plate, a seal, remains of pistols and a rapier, and a gunner's rule.
The weight of the marble blocks calculated at 66 tonnes, suggest that the vessel was not large despite all the armament. The origin of the guns and majority of coins suggests that the vessel was a French trader, and was carrying marble from the Italian quarries of Carrera exported via Genoa or Leghorn. There is a strong location tradition that artefacts from the wreck found their way into everyday use within Cors y Gedol Hall. The ship's timbers were incorporated into a building in the hall's grounds. A survivor called Juan Benedictus may also have lived as part of the local community. His death is entered in Llanendwyn Parish Register in 1730. Many of the recovered items from the wreck are now on display at local museums, including Barmouth.

Full site details: Bronze Bell; Tal-y-bont

Learn about other fascinating maritime wrecks around Wales on Coflein, the online database for the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW), the national collection of information about the historic environment of Wales.

Other useful links:
Maritime Archaeology In Wales
Maritime wrecks - Cadw

Royal Commission Dates for Your Diary 2010

 Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, takes a look at Trysorau Cudd/Hidden Histories with the Royal Commission's education officer Angharad Williams at the National Eisteddfod in Bala, Gwynedd, 2009.

This year the Royal Commission’s stand will have a number of displays and events highlighting its work of recording and surveying the built heritage of Wales, with images from the national archive relating to archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscapes.

Exhibition and show dates for Royal Commission in 2010:

Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
31 May - 05 June 2010

Royal Welsh Show
Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys
19-22 July 2010

The National Eisteddfod of Wales
Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys
31 July – 7 August 2010

Come along and learn how to use the resouces from the Royal Commission such as Coflein the public online database.
Did you know? The National Monuments Record of Wales contains information about 70,000 sites across Wales and maintains an archive of over a million items.

More Reviews for Hidden Histories

The Royal Commission’s book, Hidden Histories: Discovering the Heritage of Wales, has been getting some excellent reviews in various journals as they come out. Last year, British Archaeology called it ‘an inspiring tool for anyone engaged with Welsh heritage.’ The latest generous comments are in Morgannwg, the journal of the Glamorgan History Society (2009), by the Society’s President, Professor Gwynedd O. Pierce. Professor Pierce says that the arrangement of the book ‘makes the reader’s progress through the pages of this sumptuous volume a journey of sheer pleasure’. He concludes, ‘it can be regarded as the most beautiful fully comprehensive social history of Wales that has been hitherto produced.’

Another enthusiastic recent review has come out in Landscape History (2009). Paul Stamper of English Heritage writes,  ‘this is a very classy offering indeed’ and ‘a fine publication which deserves to find a wide readership.’ His only criticism is the apparent omission of any mention of the heritage of sport, and in particular rugby. Happily, there is in fact a two-page spread by Neil Harries on the demolition of the old Cardiff national rugby stadium and the construction of the Millennium Stadium in its place.

Hidden Histories and the Welsh-language edition Trysorau Cudd are still available from bookshops or direct from the Royal Commission.

National Monuments Record of Wales Library Closures

The library will be closed on the following dates:

23 April 2010 pm

27 April 2010 am

28 April 2010 am

30 April 2010 am

Y Bwthyn Cymreig: Arferion adeiladu tlodion y Gymru wledig 1750-1900

Y Bwthyn Cymreig
Gan Eurwyn Wiliam, 2010

Er mai'r bwythyn traddodiadol yw o nodweddion mwyaf arbennig tirwedd Cymru, mae ef bellach yn adeilad eithaf prin am i filoedd o enghreifftiau ohono ddiflannu dros y can mlynedd diwethaf. Er hynny, dysgwyd llawer iawn amando drwy astudio'r adeiladau sydd wedi goroesi a thrwy gofnodi eraill yn ofalus cyn iddynt ddarfod o'r tir. Mae'r waliau o bridd neu goed, y lloriau cerrig a'r toeon o frwyn, tywyrch neu gerrig yn yr adeiladau diymhongar hynny, a'u nodweddion eraill, yn adrodd hanes eithriadol o ddiddorol am draddodiadau lleol arbennig, am y sgiliau a drosglwyddwyd o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth, ac am ymdrech gwerin gwlad i oroesi.

Clawr: Caled
Maint: 280 x 220mm
Tudalennau: 288
Darluniau: 212
ISBN: 9781871184389
Pris: £29.95
Clundiant: £0.00

Gwerthu Llyfrau
CBHC
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Ceredigion
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Ffôn: 01970 621200
Ffacs: 01970 6217701
neu e-bostiwch yr adran Gwerthu Llyfrau gan ddefnyddio’r Ffurflen Ymholiad

Related Links:
Y Bwthyn Cymreig

The Welsh Cottage: Building traditions of the rural poor 1750-1900

The Welsh Cottage
By Eurwyn Wiliam, 2010

The Traditional cottage is one of the most distinctive features of the landscape of Wales. With the loss of thousands of examples over the past century it has become almost an endangered species, but a great deal has been learned from studying cherished surviving buildings and making a careful record of others before they were lost forever. The earth or timber walls, pebble floors, and roofs of rush, turf and stone in these humble buildings, among other features, tell a fascinating story of distinctive local traditions, skills handed down from generation to generation, and the struggle to survive.

Cover: Hardback
Size: 280 x 220mm
Pages: 288
Illustrations: 212
ISBN: 9781871184372
Price: £29.95
Postage: £0.00

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Related Links:
The wonders of the Welsh Cottage

Copperopolis: Swansea Copperworks

Pen and ink drawing of the elevation of Swansea Copperworks. Fig 619 from Tomlinson's 'Cyclopedia of Useful Arts, Manufacturing, Mining and Engineering' Vol 1, 1854.
Copyright reserved: Contact RCAHMW for details


Swansea University has recently announced a new project to celebrate one of Swansea's famous copperworks. Hafod Copperworks was one of the largest in Swansea and only closed in 1980. Significant remains still stand and the project plans to involve the local community in activities and exhibitions and to produce computer generated animations, bringing the copperworks "back to life".

The history of Swansea as the centre of the copper-smelting industry and its significance in the national and international context of the industrial revolution are explored in the Royal Commission's publication: Copperopolis.

Visit the Swansea University website to read about the project in more detail

Cadw Grant For Restoration of Melingriffith Waterwheel & Pump

Cadw and Cardiff City council have agreed to award a grant of over £100,000 to restore the Melingriffith water wheel, which was originally used to power a water pump feeding waste water from the Melingriffith Tinplate Works, back into the Glamorganshire Canal. This water wheel was renovated in the 1980s but has deteriorated since then.

The undershot waterwheel is 18.5 feet in diameter and 12.5 feet wide. It is connected to the the pumps via two twenty-two feet long beams made from American oak. The measured drawings you see here were produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne.  Copyright on these images is reserved, please contact RCAHMW for details.

Look up the database entry for the Melingriffith Water Pump on Coflein.


Measured drawing showing the south elevation and a black and white image of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.

Measured drawing showing the north elevation and two black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details. 

Measured drawing showing the west elevation and three black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details. 

 Measured drawing showing plan and five black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.

Measured drawing showing the east elevation and three black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Llangollen Canal

Nick has sent a link to a website featuring a guide to the Llangollen Canal and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - it looks very interesting and useful. Thanks Nick.

Return of Hidden Histories

The return of the highly popluar TV series looking at our Hidden Histories through the work of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.
BBC Four from January 26 2010.
Watch the episode on the BBC iplayer

Are you following the debate concerning the bluestones? You can read about the issues in British Archaeology and see a review of the latest book, which discusses their place of origin.

Aerofilms Collection Project News

The Aerofilms Collection contains lots of early aerial photographs of Britian. Many of these historic images are facinating and I'm looking forward to creating some great web pages using the images to compare places in Wales across time. These images will spark many memories I'm sure.

The Royal Commission is developing a project with English Heritage and RCAHMS to make the Aerofilms Collection of aerial photography accessible by conserving it, cataloguing it and putting the images online. If you would you like to be kept up-to-date with this project, please send an e-mail to aerofilms@english-heritage.org.uk asking to join the mailing list and we will occasionally send you news and information by e-mail. Your e-mail address given in this way won't be used for any other purpose.

A colleague has shown me some facinating images of a huge ordnance factory just outside Bridgend that were taken just after the war, and a series of images of Cardiff Arms Park at different points in its life. I have chosen a couple of Aerofilm images to upload here to give you a flavour of the collection.

The first is Cardiff Docks, taken in 1925. Here you can see part of Bute Town (bottom left), including Bute Cresent, George Street and Louisa Street. The oval shaped basin is Bute West Dock Basin, connected to Bute West Dock via a lock. Bute East Dock Basin is more rectangular in shape and connected to East Bute Dock, again via a lock.

 
The second is an image of Gresford Colliery, Wrexham. This photograph was taken just a month after the terrible disaster at the mine in September 1934 when an explosion and subsequent fire killed 266 miners.



Prydain o’r Awyr - Awyrluniau Prin a Bregus o Gasgliad Aerofilms Wedi’u Diogelu
25/06/12 Mae’r wefan www.britainfromabove.org.uk/cy ar gael i’w defnyddio am ddim yn awr, felly mewngofnodwch i weld beth y gallwch ei ddarganfod.

Britain From Above - Rare and Fragile Aerial Photos from Aerofims Collection Conserved
25/06/2012 The website www.britainfromabove.org.uk is free and available to use now, so log in and see what you can discover. 

Digital Past 2010: Conference At National Museum Wales

Preparations for Digital Past 2010 are now in full swing. This years’ conference is being hosted by the National Museum Wales at its St Fagans site, near Cardiff. Papers, seminars and practical training sessions covering the latest technical survey and interpretation techniques are on offer to those working in the archaeology, museum and heritage interpretation sectors. To see a list of confirmed papers and seminars check the Events Diary on the Royal Commission website and to register for the conference visit the see3d website.

These 2 images are stills from the reconstruction animations created from the digital surveys of the Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts. The animations were built by Commission investigators and See3D to support the World Heritage Site status bid for the Llangollen Canal.

The videos below were made to accompany the Hidden Histories II TV series.

Reconstruction Animations from Hidden Histories II

1. The Bridge, a sculpture by Jonah Jones - an animated reconstruction.




2. A virtual tour of Vivan Slate Quarry.

Hidden Histories II

The Commission has again been caught up in the excitement of another Hidden Histories television series. This second series focuses on recent work of the Commission and the items on the origins of the Stonehenge bluestones and the recently discovered site in Ceredigion, possibly a Roman villa, have aroused much interest and debate. This is great: research and debate is what the study of the past is all about. If you haven't yet seen any of the new episodes you can watch them on the BBC iplayer .

Recently some Commission staff attended a conference in Bath hosted by English Heritage. We discussed ways of improving our public and specialist services in the chilly climate of tighter budgets. I was interested to hear about Scotland's Rural Past, a project launched in 2006 which is hosted by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). The project works with local communities to research, record and promote the vanishing settlements and landscapes of Scotland's rural past. If you are interested in setting up a project to explore the history of where you live, take a look at the project website and be inspired.

Swansea City Centre In The 1970s

A colleague has just passed me this newly digitised image of Swansea city centre taken in 1970. It shows the then newly-constructed subway and roundabout, which have recently been filled in as part of the redevelopment of the city centre. The image comes from the Central Office of Information Collection in the NMRW. This image collection is being digitised at the moment.

Underpass as Roman amphitheatre with a clinical twist.

Here is a link to the online exhibiton celebrating Swansea's 40th birthday as a city. Thanks for the comment letting us know about this.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

There are many fantastic images of the aqueduct on Coflein, the Royal Commission's online database of archaeological and architectural sites in Wales. Take a look.

Photograph of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

Aerial View of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site | Heritage of Wales News

It was party time at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct last Saturday 3rd October. Representatives from partner organisations, including Wrexham Council, British Waterways and the Royal Commission were invited to join local people in a ...

 

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal: Nomination as a World Heritage Site ...

Mae Traphont Ddwr Pontcysyllte yn eicon o Chwyldro Diwydiannol cyntaf y byd ac am ddau gan mlynedd hi oedd y draphont uchaf ar unrhyw gamlas yn y byd. Cafodd dwy draphont ddwr arloesol Pontcysyllte a'r Waun eu ...

 

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal - Historical Background | Heritage of ...

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal - Historical Background. The Llangollen Canal, formerly the Ellesmere Canal, originated in a scheme to link the rivers Mersey and Severn, which would also access the iron and coal fields ...

 

 

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site

It was party time at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct last Saturday 3rd October. Representatives from partner organisations, including Wrexham Council, British Waterways and the Royal Commission were invited to join local people in a fun-packed celebration of the award of World Heritage Site status. The Prince of Wales sent a special message, which was read out on the day:

"I am very sorry not to be with you today to join in such a special celebration. However, I could not let the occassion pass without sending my heartfelt congratulations to all who have worked tirelessly to bring about theis wonderful success... The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, the third World Heritage Site in Wales, now takes its rightful place among the world's elite cultural sites... As someone who has an abiding interest in protecting and promoting enjoyment of this county's rich architectural and industrial heritage, I beleive it is essential that this great legacy is passed on by our generation to the next, through educating young people to learn respect for, and take pride in, the unique heritage they inherit."

The partners had worked hard to produce the nomination bid that won World Heritage Status for the aqueduct and canal. Commission staff surveyed and recorded both the aqueduct and canal and helped to produce the detailed gazetter of the features, which was a major contribution to the nomination document. Commission staff also produced a 3D computer-generated model of the aqueduct and working in partnership with See3D at Aberystwyth University, animated the model to demonstrate the stages in the construction of the aqueduct. You can view this animation by on the Royal Commission website, where you can also read a detailed account of the aqueduct and canal.

Monnow Bridge in Monmouthshire, Wales.

The BBC Wales Big Picture features digital images of bridges in Wales at the moment. I've searched Coflein for interesting images of bridges across Wales - and found this fantastic black and white image of the Monnow Bridge and gateway. The date and origin of this image isn't known but we have a copy in the National Monuments Record of Wales site files. If you are interested in a particular bridge in Wales you could try searching Coflein for any information we may hold - or contact our free public enquiry service.

I haven't forgotten that I've been asked to post more great images of Cardiff - will get onto it soon.

Remembering the Beddgelert Meteorite strike!

Beddgelert isn't only famous for the resting place of the faithful hound - apparently 60 years ago this month a meteorite fell through the roof of the Prince Llewelyn Hotel in Beddgelert, fortunately no-one was sleeping in the room where the rock struck - but the meteorite smashed through the roof leaving a round hole. The bright light and the sound of the meteorite breaking the sound barrier as it entered earth's atmosphere were seen and heard across north Wales.

I am wondering if the meteorite was hot - and if so, why didn't it start a fire at the hotel? Perhaps someone will let me know.
Meanwhile another excellent aerial photograph for you - this time of Beddgelert.

Anglesey's Coastline Enhancement Scheme

A £5.6 million project, funded by the European Union, the local council and the Welsh Assembly Government has been announced. The project to improve accessibility, coastal infrastructure and provide more information about isalnd's coastline will enhance the visitor experience and create tourism opportunities to boost the local economy.

Anglesey has a rich cultural heritage and I've listed some sites that we recommend you visit

Bryn Celli Ddu a neolithic chambered burial tomb near the village of Llanddeniel Fab.
Din Lligwy, just outside Moelfre on the northern coast, has preserved remains of a prehistoric settlement including two roundhouses and several rectangular buildings.
St Eilian's Church, Llaneilian is a medieval church which retains many medieval features and paintings.

Penmon Priory is thought to be an early medieval foundation and has a holy well associated with it.
St Pabo's church, Llanbabo is worth a visit to see the carved stone memorial to St Pabo.

Beaumaris Castle is located close to the water's edge and was the last link in the ring of defence to the north Wales seaboard built by Edward 1st. The castle remains largely intact.

Porth Amlwch was the main port and smelthing site for the copper mines in north Wales

Filming for Hidden Histories series 2 has been completed

Filming for the second sereis of Hidden Histories has just finished and Element, the production company, are now editing the footage taken over the summer. Filming has been taking place in many locations across Wales and we'll let you know when we have a transmission date for the first episode of series 2... watch this space.
You can still see series one on the BBC iplayer on the BBC Wales History webpages or look at the Royal Commission website for information about the series.

Moelfre on Anglesey

Scrappy, the 3 year old dog was rescued by the RNLI from steep cliffs at Moelfre on Anglesey. This was the second cliff incident this week as a young girl had narrowly escaped injury on Sunday, when the car she was sitting in rolled down out of control over the cliff edge at Benllech.

Moelfre doesn't look too dangerous in this image of the harbour, taken by David Howarth!

To find more images of Wales take a look at Coflein, the online database of historic sites and buildings in Wales. You can search by map or by entering the name of the place you are interested in into the quick and advanced search features.

Dinorwic Slate Quarry 40 Years After Closure

The National Slate Museum of Wales is organising several events to mark the 40th anniversary of the closure of the Dinorwic (Dinorwg) Slate Quarry. A play - "Y Cau" (The Closing) will be staged at the museum on 20th, 21st and 22nd of August. The quarry includes the remains of the Braich levels of the Dinorwic Slate quarry which operated from around 1770 to 1969. There are substantial remains which survive at the site, helping to show how the quarry operated in its heyday. To find out more check the site entry for Dinorwic on Coflein (The Royal Commission's online site database).

Discovering a Roman Road in Newtown

The BBC Wales newspage is reporting that one of the longest sections of Roman road ever found in Wales is being unearthed at the site of a new Tesco in Newtown, Powys. The road is thought to have linked two forts , one at Forden and one at Caersws. Archaeologists from the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust are working on the site of the town's old Smithfield market. You can search for Roman Roads and sites on Coflein.

Kinmel Military Camp

The news that 302 jobs in north east Wales will be lost when Indesit close their factory at Kinmel Park, Bodelwyddan has just been announced. This is a serious blow for the area and for those who may loose their jobs. The factory was built on the site of Kinmel Military Camp which was a huge facility constructed during the First World War. The Camp is infamous for the riot of homesick Canadian troops in 1919 awaiting de-mobilisation after World War I. The Kinmel Camp entry on Coflein will tell you more.

Map image: © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales. Licence number: 100017916, 2009.
© Hawlfraint y Goron. Cedwir pob hawl. Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru. Rhif trwydded: 100017916, 2009.

Stephanie Holland Attended Cardiff University

Apparently Big Brother contender Stephanie Holland studied music at Cardiff University, based in Cathays Park, Cardiff. You can find information about the university buildings in Cathays by searching Coflein, our online database. Cardiff's a great city and the Cathays area is particularly grand!

Hidden Histories TV Series Screens Again

Great news that the Hidden Histories TV series is to be screened again on BBC4 starting on June 18th at 20:00hrs - make sure you see it if you haven't already - or watch it again!

The Commission hosted a very successful Open Day at the offices in Aberyswtyth on Saturday May 9th. About 150 people visited the library and had tours of the archive and listened to talks and presentations by members of the staff. We were so please to meet lots of new visitors and welcome back some old friends and hope that everyone enjoyed the day. In particular we met the members of the Aberystwyth Young Archaeologists Club - and we are hoping to arrange some more activities with them in the near future.

How Can We Improve Our Services?

What users require from web services is not always obvious to providers.
The Royal Commission is interested to know what its users think about the web services it provides and how they can be improved.
These services include Coflein and the RCAHMW website.
If you have a view why not let us know about it here on the blog? We can't promise to change things immediately - but we can promise to listen and to consider ways to meet your needs more effectively.