Castell Grogwynion … Fort of the white … Ceramics?

The Early Mines Research Group supported by Sarahjayne Clements, CBA bursary holder, RCAHMW, and Keith Haylock, PHD Researcher, Geography Department, University of Aberystwyth, excavating Castell Grogwynion Hillfort.

A small excavation was undertaken at the Iron Age hillfort Castell Grogwynion last week in an attempt to identify a potential Iron Age metal working site located on the northern terrace of the fort. Early mines are fairly elusive archaeologically and searching for them has been the focus of over twenty years’ research by the Early Mines Research Group. Evidence of Iron Age metal working is particularly rare in Ceredigion, despite the importance raw materials evidently held for Iron Age material culture.

Aerial Photograph of the Iron Age hillfort, Castell Grogwynion.

The excavation at Castell Grogwynion was the conclusion of a series of surveys conducted on three north Ceredigion hillforts, Castell Grogwynion, Darren Camp and Pen Dinas, for a research project by Keith Haylock at the Institute for Geography and Earth Sciences (IGES), Aberystwth University, in collaboration with The Royal Commission, and with permission from Cadw.

Using a special portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) ‘gun’ Keith can find out what metals are present in the soils of the hillfort, with the aim of finding high concentrations of prehistoric metal working evidence. This equipment has revolutionised non-destructive archaeological identification of early mine areas, through the detection of metal slag and smelting activities.

Keith Haylock, operating pXRF survey.

The results of the Geophysical Survey taken in 2012. Areas of interest are highlighted with red, 1 = the area excavated.

Out of the three hillforts surveyed only Castell Grogwynion, in English “The fort of the white pebbles”, demonstrated high lead readings, which were focused on the terrace. Geophysical survey in 2012 by ArchaeoPhysica LTD further confirmed this concentration.

To test the nature and date of the lead concentration, Dr Simon Timberlake and the Early Mines Research Group, carried out a limited excavation on the terrace at Castell Grogwynion in early October.

The Early Mines Research Group excavating.

Some of the seventeenth or eighteenth-century pottery recovered at Castell Grogwynion.

Rather than an Iron Age smelting site, far more recent evidence of seventeenth or eighteenth-century lazy-bed cultivation was discovered with lead-glazed pottery and other domestic rubbish tipped into the soil. These findings confirmed that a nearby platform and cultivation terraces within the hillfort, first identified by Louise Barker during the new Royal Commission survey, were indeed the remains of a post-medieval upland cottage settlement.

Post Excavation Analysis.

Post medieval cottage settlements are fairly common in the Welsh landscape, however the structural evidence is rarely accompanied by any artifactual remains. Although Iron Age finds were limited to a single sling shot, it was exciting to discover the sheer quantity of pottery uncovered through the excavation, surprising in such a remote location. Further scanning the pottery with the XRF gun revealed the cause of the initial high metallic reading: the glazing of the pottery contained an unusually high lead content.  The leaching of the lead glaze into the soil was hypothesised to have been the most likely cause of the high metallic readings. The discovery of this pottery demonstrated the importance of XRF for archaeological survey ― it can detect vital and less structural remains including spoil heaps and rubbish dumps, where the most significant artifactual data is often recovered.

All in all it was great to be part of this excavation and watch the story of the Iron Age hillfort unfold and exciting to be part of such important research into the varied uses of new and powerful forms of archaeological remote sensing.
 

Kimberly Briscoe and Sarahjayne CBA Community Bursary Holders, RCAHMW, Castell Grogwynion.

By Kimberly Briscoe, Community Archaeology Placement Holder.


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

Princes of Gwynedd Crowned First Strand of Pan-Wales Interpretation

Visitors to Snowdonia will now be able to follow in the footsteps of the princes of Gwynedd for the first time, thanks to a new heritage tourism scheme launched today (14 October 2013) at Dinas Emrys, the mythological home of the Welsh Dragon.

The scheme is a consortium led by Conwy County Borough Council in partnership with Gwynedd Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the National Trust. 30 iconic heritage sites linked to the princes have been interpreted to tell the unique story of the longest and most successful dynasty in medieval Wales - from the castles the princes built to the royal courts where they ruled.

From Maelgwn Gwynedd to Llywelyn the Great, visitors to Snowdonia can explore the colourful lives of the princes and witness their lasting legacy on today’s landscape, using new themed walking, cycling and driving routes to get around, promoted through a new website and guidebook.

Six information hubs have been created – at Betws-y-Coed Tourist Information Centre, Criccieth Castle Visitor Centre, Conwy Tourist Information Centre, The Oriel Pendeitsh Gallery in Caernarfon, Beddgelert Tourist Information Centre (Canolfan Hebog) and at National Trust Craflwyn – to act as a starting point for visitor journeys. 

Around 10 million* people visit the area annually and it is hoped the Princes of Gwynedd scheme will attract an additional 12,000 visitors to the heritage sites throughout Snowdonia before the end of 2014.

The Princes of Gwynedd scheme is the first strand of the Pan-Wales Heritage Interpretation Plan, led by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service, which aims to bring Wales’ heritage to life for locals and visitors to explore and enjoy while maximising the economic value of heritage tourism. Cadw plans to roll out more themes across Wales over the coming months through its Heritage Tourism Project, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

John Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport, said: “This is the first of 12 interpretation projects which will help to celebrate and share the story of Wales’s rich and diverse heritage and culture.  We want to make physical and thematic links between places and sites so that people can follow stories across Wales with the help of inspiring interpretation.

“The princes of Gwynedd were a hugely important part of how Wales developed and their story still leaves a mark on today’s landscape. The project team has led the way in ensuring visitors are met with exciting and thought-provoking experiences that will benefit the area’s local economy. We hope that the new trails will encourage local people and visitors alike to learn about the princes by retracing their steps and will be inspired to explore the rest of Wales’s fascinating story.”

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, Leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that Conwy has had the opportunity to lead on this innovative partnership project, which brings our iconic heritage sites to a wider audience and generates economic benefit to the communities of Conwy and Gwynedd.”

The Princes of Gwynedd is one of six story strands in North West Wales with more to follow as part of the wider Our Heritage scheme. Councillor John Wynn Jones, Gwynedd Council's Economy Cabinet Member said: “Our Heritage aims to bring intriguing historical sites to life for everyone from seven year old ‘Horrible Histories’ fans to families who want a taste of how the princes of Gwynedd lived in Snowdonia, and serious history buffs eager to meet the ancestors.

“It is no exaggeration to say that there are hidden historical treasures of national, international and global importance just waiting to be discovered and explored in every corner of Gwynedd and Conwy.”

Trystan Edwards, National Trust General Manager for Snowdonia and Llŷn, said: “The condition, accessibility, and promotion of Dinas Emrys has been on our agenda for a number of years and so we have been delighted to play a key role in the Princes of Gwynedd project, and our welcome and information facilities at Craflwyn and in Beddgelert will be the ideal destination for all who want to learn more and explore.”

Jonathan Cawley, Director of Planning and Cultural Heritage for Snowdonia National Park Authority, said: “Upland Snowdonia was both a defensive bastion and important economic resource for the Princes of Gwynedd. The castles, palaces and grazing pastures of the Princes and the abbeys and churches they sponsored have shaped the historic landscape of Snowdonia. The National Park Authority is pleased to have been involved in the partnership to promote classic sites like Dolwyddelan and Castell y Bere castles as well as many hidden gems to local residents and visitors. The itineraries will draw people to some fantastic areas of Snowdonia that they might have otherwise missed.”

For more information about the Princes of Gwynedd, trails and exhibitions visit www.snowdoniaheritage.info/princes or watch the video.


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

Aberystwyth Castle Captured!

The Mayor of Aberystwyth, Dylan Jones, wearing his historic chain of office.

On the 28 July a small army of archaeology enthusiasts captured Aberystwyth castle. As part of the Festival of British Archaeology, a group of archaeologists, community organisations, and craftspeople had set up camp within the castle bailey. Ranged around the 1914 Gorsedd circle were the tents of the Royal Commission, Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Ceredigion County Council, and craftspeople and entertainers, including a wood-turner, a story-teller, a spinner and weaver, and many more. Visitors were delighted by the traditional music played by Ceri Owen-Jones (‘Ceri Harp’) and friends. Guests of honour included the Mayor of Aberystwyth, Dylan Jones, wearing his historic chain of office (see photo). Tours of the castle and town were led by David Browne and Michael Freeman, and there were talks and activities at Ceredigion Museum. This successful event again demonstrated the deep interest of people of all ages in the history and archaeology of Ceredigion. The event was co-ordinated by Alice Pyper.

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

Prydain o’r Awyr - Awyrluniau Prin a Bregus o Gasgliad Aerofilms Wedi’u Diogelu

Traeth y Gogledd, Aberystwyth ar ddydd Sul poeth ym mis Gorffennaf 1947,
NPRN:33035,   AFL03_R8767

Tynnodd Aerofilms Ltd, cwmni a sefydlwyd ym 1919, fwy nag 1.2 filiwn o awyrluniau o lawer o’r digwyddiadau a lleoedd pwysicaf yn hanes gwledydd Prydain yn yr ugeinfed ganrif. Am y tro cyntaf erioed gellir gweld 15,000 o’r delweddau cynharaf drwy fynd i wefan Britain from Above sy’n mynd yn fyw heddiw.

Roedd casgliad Aerofilms, a gawsai ei grynhoi dros wyth degawd (1919-2006), mewn perygl o gael ei wasgaru ymhlith prynwyr preifat a chael ei golli pan aeth y cwmni i drafferthion ariannol. Cafodd ei achub a’i brynu i’r genedl yn 2007 gan English Heritage, Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion yr Alban a Chomisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru gyda chymorth Cronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri a Sefydliad Foyle. Yna dechreuwyd ar raglen o ddiogelu rhai o’r negatifau plât gwydr mwyaf prin a bregus a’u digido er mwyn eu rhoi ar-lein i bawb eu cyrchu’n ddi-dâl.

Llun o bont grog eiconig Pont y Borth (Pont Menai) fel yr oedd ym 1920
NPRN: 43063   WPW002042

 Mae’r casgliad yn cofnodi’r newidiadau yn nhirwedd Ynysoedd Prydain a sut yr ydym wedi byw, gweithio a chwarae gyda’n gilydd yn ystod y 80 mlynedd ddiwethaf. Mae’r wefan yn canolbwyntio ar gyfnod cynharach y casgliad rhwng 1919 a 1953 ac mae’n gartref i rai delweddau hynod bwysig. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys: Traeth y Gogledd, Aberystwyth ym 1947, Parc yr Arfau, Caerdydd ym 1932, Porthaethwy fel yr oedd ym 1920, Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi a’r cyffiniau ym 1929, Harbwr Dinbych-y-pysgod ym 1929, Gwaith Haearn Dowlais y flwyddyn cyn i gynhyrchu ddod i ben, a Dociau Caerdydd ymhell cyn iddynt ddod yn Fae Caerdydd.

Glofa Gresffordd ym mis Hydref 1934, fis ar ôl un o’r trychinebau gwaethaf yn hanes y pyllau glo,
NPRN: 301580   AF67 

Ond mae eisiau eich cymorth arnom ni!

Gyda chasgliad mor ysblennydd a phellgyrhaeddol â hwn, yn ogystal â’ch denu chi i edrych ar yr hyn sydd wedi cael ei gadw a’i ddiogelu, hoffem i chi rannu gyda ni eich atgofion am y lleoliadau a’r safleoedd, tagio delweddau fel eu bod yn haws eu lleoli wrth ddefnyddio peiriannau chwilio, a grwpio ffotograffau gyda’i gilydd i helpu ein grwpiau diddordeb i astudio eu pynciau (boed hwy’n rheilffyrdd, yn eglwysi neu’n safleoedd milwrol), ond, yn anad dim, mae angen eich gwybodaeth leol arnom i helpu’r arbenigwyr i adnabod cannoedd o luniau anhysbys – delweddau heb leoliad, disgrifiad na dyddiad.

Mae’r wefan www.britainfromabove.org.uk ar gael i’w defnyddio am ddim yn awr, felly mewngofnodwch i weld beth y gallwch ei ddarganfod.

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