Metals, Mines and Mountains Guided Walk by CBA Community Archaeology Training Placement Sophie Gingell

Tour of Bron-floyd lead-mine led by Royal Commission investigator, Louise Barker, NPRN: 33877

 On  Saturday 12 May, the Royal Commission, in conjunction with their ‘Metal Links’ project, led a guided walk around in Ceredigion, within the community of Trefeurig. This walk focussed on the mining history of the area and led us through a variety of mining sites, encapsulating a time period spanning the Bronze Age to the 20th Century. We began our walk at Cwmsymlog, an 18th century metal mine, where the remaining stone chimney is prominent in the landscape. From here we headed into the uplands, passing a prehistoric standing stone; one of many in the area. Royal Commission investigator, Toby Driver, explained that there are a number of different interpretations of these features. Some believe that they may be indications of prehistoric burial sites or places of ritual importance, whereas others hold the opinion that they would have acted predominantly as landscape markers used to navigate through the landscape. We walked then to the Cwmerfyn mine site, from where we could easily view the impressive Darren hillfort and mine. The next stop on the tour was the well-preserved metal mine of Bron-floyd. Royal Commission investigator Louise Barker gave us a full guided tour, from which we were able to attain a deeper knowledge of those that would have worked in these mines and lived in the surrounding area, and how important these mines would have been to them. After this, we gradually made our way back to Cwmsymlog by way of Gwaith Afon; a rather small mine found in the woodland area to the east of Cwmsymlog.

The group enjoying a well-deerved lunch.

Altogether, it was an incredible day and was made even more enjoyable by the beautiful weather. Through the exploration and explanation of not only the sites we visited, but also some of the sites that could be viewed from the pathways, we got a fantastic insight into the archaeology of this landscape and its underground resources. By actually walking through the fields and pathways that previous generations have walked through, exploring the sites in which they may have worked and viewing the same panoramas that they would have gazed out upon, we were given a truly unique insight into what is not only a wonderful mining landscape, but more importantly a thoroughly human one. A big thank you to all those who attended the walk; your knowledge and enthusiasm really made the day a wonderful success.
To find out more about the ‘Metal Links’ project, visit: http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Research+and+Recording/Metal+Links+Project/



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Review of the Metal, Mines and Mountains Upland Archaeology Day-School by CBA Community Archaeology Training Placement Sophie Gingell

After many months of hard work, the formal launch of the Metal Links project was celebrated by a splendid cake.

Last week, the Royal Commission held its annual upland archaeology day-school at Edward Richard Centre in Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion, which was jointly organised this year by the Royal Commission’s Metal-Links project. 62 people attended the event, with the morning focussing on recent work carried out on the uplands of Wales, together with the launch of the Royal Commission’s latest publication “The Western Brecon Beacons: The Archaeology of Mynydd Du and Fforest Fawr”, by David Leighton. There was a lively introduction into uplands archaeology by Paul Sambrook of Trysor, followed by presentations on recent uplands survey work across Wales, including areas in the southern Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia. The morning kicked the day off to an excellent start, with some really promising results and new discoveries. For example, after the survey of the Cymystwyth area in the south Cambrian Mountains, we now have an additional 574 records for the area in the National Monuments Record – an increase of 2226%! We were then treated to a phenomenal and delicious buffet lunch by the staff of the Edward Richard Centre.

Professor David Austin, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, delivering an inspirational lecture to delegates at the conference.

The afternoon talks focussed on the theme of metal mining. This included an introduction to the ‘Metal Links’ project and a talk by one of the project partners from Ireland on metal mining in his home country. This part of the afternoon finished with the formal launch of the ‘Metal Links’ project and the presentation of a magnificent cake, designed to represent the Ystrad Einion metal mine in north Ceredigion; a real treat during tea break! Ystrad Einon was then discussed in greater depth by Royal Commission Investigator Louise Barker, who showed an animation recreating the mine. It was great to see how modern technology can really bring archaeology to life. The final part of the day continued to look at metal mining in Ceredigion and included a talk by Simon Timberlake on his work with the Early Mines Research Group into prehistoric mining in the area. We also explored the evidence for medieval mining, concentrating around Strata Florida abbey. All in all, it was an excellent day. Thank you to all the speakers for their fantastic presentations, to the Royal Commission and ‘Metal-Links’ project for organising the event, to the Edward Richard Centre and its staff for taking such excellent care of everyone and of course to all of those who came. The day was a great success and I am sure we are all looking forward to seeing what exciting discoveries next year’s forum will bring.

To find out more about the Royal Commission’s Metal Links project, http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Research+and+Recording/Metal+Links+Project/


To learn about the Royal Commission’s uplands archaeology initiative, look at: http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Uplands+Archaeology+Initiative/


Also to find out more about the uplands archaeology of Wales, visit: http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Heritage+of+Wales/Places/Uplands/

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Ysgol Undydd y Gwanwyn IFA Cymru

Adeiladau: rhai dulliau cofnodi, dadansoddi, diogelu, ailddefnyddio a chyflwyno

 Sefydliad Owain Glyndŵr, Machynlleth, NPRN: 32041

 

Ar Ddydd Gwener, 18 Mai, 2012, bydd Susan Fielding, ymchwilydd adeiladau’r Comisiwn Brenhinol, yn rhoi sgwrs yn Ysgol Undydd y Gwanwyn IFA Cymru a gynhelir yn Sefydliad Owain Glyndŵr, Machynlleth.

Bydd y diwrnod yn dechrau am 10.15am ac yn gorffen am 4.15pm ac am 2.15pm bydd Susan yn rhoi sgwrs ar “Ymagwedd CBHC at Arolygu Adeiladau”. Rhai o’r siaradwyr eraill ar y diwrnod fydd Rod Bale (Y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan): “Dyddio drwy flwyddgylchau ac adeiladau hanesyddol yng Nghymru”; Margaret Dunn (Cyfarwyddwr Prosiect Dendrocronoleg Gogledd-Orllewin Cymru): “Hynt a helynt gweithio gyda gwirfoddolwyr”; a Liz Green (Yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol): “Defnyddio data cofnodi adeiladau manwl wrth ddiogelu adeiladau hanesyddol”.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth ac i drefnu’ch lle, cysylltwch â John Lathan, jernstlatham@qmail.com, 07774 877834 neu Ian Brooks eas@tdlmail.co.uk 
 

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Wales IFA Spring Day-School

 

Buildings: some approaches to recording, analysis, preservation, re-use and presentation

 Owain Glyndwr Institute, Machynlleth, NPRN: 32041

On Friday, 18 May, 2012, Royal Commission buildings investigator, Susan Fielding, will be giving a talk at the Wales IFA Spring Day-school at the Owain Glyndŵr Institute, Machynlleth.

The day will run from 10.15am to 4.15pm and at 2.15pm, Susan will be giving a talk on “The RCAHMW approach to Building Survey”. Other speakers for the day include Rod Bale (Trinity St David’s, Lampeter): “Tree-ring dating and historic buildings in Wales”; Margaret Dunn (Director of the North-West Wales Dendrochronology Project): “Some Highs & Lows in involving volunteers”; and, Liz Green (The National Trust): “The use of detailed building recording data in the conservation of historic buildings”.

For further information and bookings please contact John Lathan, jernstlatham@qmail.com , 07774 877834 or Ian Brooks,  eas@tdlmail.co.uk



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Gwneud Arolwg o Gaerau Cynhanesyddol yn Solfach, Sir Benfro

Golwg o’r Awyr o Gaer Bentir Gribin, NPRN: 94269, AP_2006_3342

Yr wythnos ddiwethaf, bu Louise Barker, un o ymchwilwyr y Comisiwn Brenhinol, a Sophie Gingell, sydd ar Leoliad Hyfforddi fel Archaeolegydd Cymunedol dan nawdd Cyngor Archaeoleg Prydain, yn gwneud arolwg archaeolegol o ddwy gaer gynhanesyddol yn Solfach, ger Tyddewi yn sir Benfro. Mae’r ddwy gaer, sy’n dyddio o’r Oes Haearn mae’n debyg, wedi’u lleoli ar gefnen greigiog gul o’r enw Gribin sy’n edrych dros harbwr Solfach. Mewn gwirionedd, mae yna dair caer gynhanesyddol ar y gefnen hon, i gyd o fewn 900m i’w gilydd (SM82SW). Cafodd yr arolygon archaeolegol eu cynnal ar ôl derbyn cais gan Peter Crane, archaeolegydd Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro. Y safle cyntaf a arolygwyd oedd y gaer bentir ym mhen y gefnen, safle adnabyddus y cliriwyd y llystyfiant ohono’n ddiweddar. Ar y llaw arall, nid yw’r ail gaer a arolygwyd, sy’n 500m i’r Gogledd-Ddwyrain, erioed wedi cael ei chofnodi na’i dogfennu yng Nghofnod yr Amgylchedd Hanesyddol, felly mae hwn yn ddarganfyddiad newydd a chyffrous. Mae’r llystyfiant wedi’i glirio bellach, ac mae nodweddion y gaer gefnen hon i’w gweld yn glir. Yn eu plith ceir rhagfur gogleddol a llwyfannau cytiau niferus sy’n agos iawn at ei gilydd.

Golwg o’r Awyr o Gaer Bentir Gribin, NPRN: 410450, AP_2006_3342

Mae’r ddau safle wedi’u lleoli ar dir yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol ac mae cerddwyr sy’n dymuno darganfod yr ardal yn gallu eu cyrraedd yn hawdd. Bydd canlyniadau’r arolygon hyn ar gael drwy Coflein cyn bo hir, a bydd yr arolwg o’r gaer sydd newydd ei chofnodi yn cael ei anfon i’r Arolwg Ordnans hefyd fel y gall gynnwys y safle ar ei fapiau. Hoffem ddiolch i’r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol am roi caniatâd i wneud y gwaith.

Defnyddio cyfarpar System Lleoli Byd-Eang (GPS) i wneud arolwg

Gwybodaeth bellach:

Manylion y safle ar Coflein:
Caer bentir Gribin
Caer gefnen Gribin
Lloc amddiffynnol Gribin



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Prehistoric Forts Surveyed in Solva, Pembrokeshire

Aerial View of Gribin Promontory, NPRN: 94269,  AP_2006_3342

Last week, Royal Commission investigator, Louise Barker, and CBA Community Archaeologist Training Placement holder, Sophie Gingell, conducted an archaeological survey of two prehistoric forts at Solva, near St. Davids in Pembrokeshire. The two forts, most likely Iron Age in date, are situated on a narrow rocky ridge overlooking Solva harbour, known as the Gribin. There are, in fact, three prehistoric forts on this ridge all within a space of 900m (SM82SW). The archaeological surveys were carried out following a request from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park archaeologist, Peter Crane. The first site surveyed was the promontory fort on the end of the ridge; a well-known site that has recently been cleared of vegetation. In comparison, the second fort surveyed 500m to the North-East has never been recorded or documented within the Historic Environment Record, thus making it a new and exciting discovery. Having now been cleared of vegetation, the features of this ridge fort are clear to see and include a northern rampart and numerous closely spaced hut platforms.

Aerial View of Gribin Ridge Fort, NPRN: 410450,AP_2010_0114

   Both sites are located on National Trust land and are easily accessible to walkers wishing to explore the area. The results of these surveys will soon be made available through Coflein, and the survey of the newly recorded fort will also be sent to the Ordnance Survey for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping. With thanks to the National Trust for permission to carry out our work.

Surveying with GPS equipment

Further information:

Coflein site details:
Gribin promontory fort
Gribin ridge fort
Gribin defended enclosure




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Cyfeillion Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru

Croeso i’r llu o aelodau newydd sydd wedi ymuno â rhwydwaith y Cyfeillion. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Newyddlen hon yn rhoi blas i chi o’r hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud a sut y gallwn eich helpu i ddatblygu eich gwybodaeth o amgylchedd hanesyddol Cymru, pa un a oes gennych chi ddiddordeb proffesiynol neu amatur. Fel un o’n Noddwyr, dywed Huw Edwards, “Yn bendant iawn, dyfodol Cymru, yn ogystal â’i gorffennol, yw maes y Comisiwn Brenhinol”

Mae treftadaeth Cymru yn faes a all beri penbleth i’r lleygwr. Nid yw’n glir bob amser pwy sy’n gwneud beth a phwy y dylid cysylltu â hwy – Cadw, yr Ymddiriedolaethau Archaeolegol, y Comisiwn Brenhinol neu’r cymdeithasau amwynderau. Wel, yn syml, y Comisiwn Brenhinol yw’r archif cenedlaethol ar gyfer yr amgylchedd hanesyddol yng Nghymru. Ceir yn y casgliad dwy filiwn o ffotograffau a 125,000 o luniadau, sy’n ei wneud yn archif gweledol mwyaf Cymru, yn ogystal â miliynau o dudalennau o destun.

Ond nid archif yn unig mohono. Mae cysylltiad agos rhwng ein gwaith archifol a’n gweithgareddau ymchwilio ac estyn allan parhaus. Mae ein hymchwiliadau thematig yn datblygu gwybodaeth a dealltwriaeth o hanes Cymru. Mae ein defnyddwyr yn gallu manteisio’n gyflymach fyth ar ganlyniadau’r gwaith hwn, ynghyd â chynnwys yr archif, drwy ein cyhoeddiadau traddodiadol uchel eu safon sydd wedi ennill cymaint o barch a chlod yn rhyngwladol, ac ar-lein drwy Coflein, Casgliad y Werin Cymru, a gwefannau eraill. Mae’r Comisiwn yn arweinydd ym maes datblygiadau digidol arloesol yn y sector treftadaeth Gymreig a thu hwnt, ac unwaith eto cafodd pob lle yng nghynhadledd Gorffennol Digidol 2012 ei gymryd. Ar lefel fwy lleol, mae ein harchaeolegwyr cymunedol (wedi’u hariannu gan Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri a rhaglen Interreg yr UE) yn gweithio gyda chymunedau ac unigolion mewn ardaloedd mor amrywiol ag Amlwch, gogledd Ceredigion, Blaenau Gwent, a Chaerdydd.

Does dim rhyfedd, felly, i mi gael fy mhlesio’n fawr, ond nid fy synnu, pan ddaeth Adolygiad Llywodraethu Llywodraeth Cymru i’r casgliad dwy flynedd yn ôl fod y Comisiwn Brenhinol yn “sefydliad uchel ei barch, sy’n cynnwys staff tra chymwys a chanddynt brofiad ac ymroddiad ac arbenigwyr cydnabyddedig yn Gomisiynwyr”, gan nodi “a thrwy gydol yr adolygiad yr oedd maint y gwaith a wnâi’r sefydliad ar y gyllideb hon yn syndod”.

Fel ein defnyddwyr tymor-hir presennol, gobeithiaf y bydd ein Cyfeillion newydd yn dod i’r un casgliad. Rhowch wybod i’ch ffrindiau a’ch cydnabod am fanteision ymuno â’r rhwydwaith hwn, a helpwch ni i’ch helpu chi i ddarganfod rhagor am eich gorffennol eich hun.

Eurwyn Wiliam
Cadeirydd

• Newyddlen y Cyfeillion (ffeil PDF, 1.6MB)

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Friends of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Welcome to the many new members of the Friends’ network. I hope that this Newsletter will give you a flavour of what we are about and how we can help you develop your knowledge of the historic environment of Wales, whether you think of yourself as a professional or an interested amateur. As one of our Patrons, Huw Edwards, notes, “The Royal Commission is emphatically about the future of Wales, as well as its past”.

In the Welsh heritage landscape, it is sometimes unclear to the lay person who does what and who they should approach amongst Cadw, the Archaeological Trusts, the Royal Commission, and the amenity societies. Well, simply put, the Royal Commission is the national archive for the historic environment in Wales. With two million photographs, 125,000 drawings, and millions of pages of documents, it is also the largest visual archive in Wales.

But it is not just an archive. Our archive work is closely linked to continuing investigation and outreach activity. Our thematic investigation projects develop knowledge and understanding of Wales’s history. The results of this work plus the contents of the archive are being made available increasingly quickly to users both through our traditional high-quality publications, for which the Commission is so well-known and respected internationally, and online through our own Coflein, the People’s Collection Wales, and other websites. The Commission is a leader in digital innovation in the Welsh heritage sector and beyond, and once again the annual Digital Past conference in 2012 was a sell-out. On a more local level, our community archaeologists (funded by HLF and the EU’s Interreg programme) are working with communities and individuals in areas as diverse as Amlwch, north Ceredigion, Blaenau Gwent and Cardiff.

Little wonder, then, that I was delighted, but not in the least surprised, when the Welsh Government’s Governance Review a couple of years ago concluded that “The Royal Commission is a highly respected organisation, made up of well-qualified, experienced and committed staff and acknowledged Commissioners... we were continually impressed by the amount the organisation does on [its] budget”.

Like our existing long-term users, I hope that new Friends will also come rapidly to this conclusion. Do tell your friends and acquaintances about the benefits of joining this network, and help us to help you find out more about your own past.

Eurwyn Wiliam
Chairman

• Friends’ Newsletter (PDF file, 1.6MB)

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