Cyngor Archaeoleg Brydeinig CYMRU Council for British Archaeology WALES ** Online Information for Archaeology in Wales **

In this issue:

Quinquennial review of RCAHMW

A Research Agenda for Wales

Historic Environment of Wales Conference at Cwmamam Workmen’s Institute, 10th July 2002.

Menter Môn and Community Heritage projects on Anglesey

Recent community archaeology initiatives in south and south-west Wales

Gwynedd and Môn Branch of the Young Archaeologists Club opened

The Roman Fort Environs Project, north west Wales

A Later Mesolithic assemblage on Bardsey Island

Excavations at Tywyn y Capel, Anglesey

2002 Autumn Meeting

Your CBA representatives

Editorial

Herewith a varied edition of the newsletter. Following on from inclusion of the CBA Wales response to the National Assembly’s five yearly review of Cadw, we include an abridged version of the committee’s response to a similar consultation on the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Wales. The IFA Research Agenda for Wales has become a regular subject of the newsletter; in this edition we provide an update on its progress, along with important information on venues and dates for regional review seminars. This is your chance to contribute, and it is hoped that CBA Wales members will be keen to participate.

A chunk of this newsletter is dedicated to a number of recent initiatives focussing on the promotion of the historic environment at a broad level, and in providing opportunities for community appreciation of and participation in local heritage. The Young Archaeologists Club recently celebrated its 30th birthday (July), and continues to go from strength to strength. Kate Geary reports on the setting up of a new branch of the YAC, for Gwynedd and Ynys Môn, and promotes forthcoming events.

The newsletter concludes with snippet reports on a number of fieldwork projects undertaken over the past few months. I’m afraid that news of the Newport boat broke too late for inclusion in this edition of the newsletter, but we hope to include an item on this fantastic (and controversial) discovery next time round. [For the latest information on the Newport boat, check the main CBA web page on the subject: SOS Newport.]

Finally, I regret to announce that this will be my final edition as editor of the newsletter; I am stepping down in anticipation of a busy time ahead with new parental responsibilities. As readers will no doubt have noticed the newsletter has developed a decidedly northern bias over the past few issues, and it is probably timely to pass the duty on, to ensure that other areas of Wales are adequately represented, and that requests for contributions do not fall too onerously on one person’s network of contacts.

Best wishes,

CBA Wales’ Response to the National Assembly of Wales Review of The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments

[edited for reasons of space; much of the response takes the form of answers to a series of questions posed within the consultation]
[The full text of the letter as a PDF format file is available for download here.]

In the past the Royal Commission had a clearly defined role in survey and research relating to ancient monuments and historic buildings, a role which had a much respected output in the publication of the County Inventories. The staff of the Commission were, at that time, the pre-eminent practitioners of survey and architectural recording and many were noted scholars in their own right. Within the Commission the National Monuments Record (NMR) established for itself an important role as a central repository of information on the historic environment of the whole of Wales, and as an important curator of physical records relating to this field.

However, during the 1970s, it became clear that the survey policies and outputs of the Royal Commission were failing to address the more urgent needs of conservation and rescue archaeology. The deficiency was addressed in the later 1970s by the newly formed Archaeological Trusts which have come to fill several of the RCAHM roles.

As a consequence the Commission’s Mission Statement no longer defines a unique role. Your questions in Section 3, therefore, are the crux of the matter: whether the Royal Commission is fulfilling its roles, whether these roles are still relevant and important, whether they could be fulfilled better by others, either independently or by absorbing the Royal Commission.

Q1. Does RCAHMW’s current work programme reflect its statutory duties and functions?

We judge that the Commission, whether for reasons of policy or resources, is failing in its primary role as a recorder. There is now only limited survey, recording and interpretation of terrestrial sites, and no maritime presence at all.

Our letter expands on this answer at some length, as befits the seriousness of the allegation, discussing survey activity, survey monitoring and advice on conservation matters, in all of which we judge the Commission has fallen below its previous levels of activity and standards.

Q2 Is there a need for the functions carried out by RCAHMW?

We feel that the work of field survey and building recording, along with the interpretation, management, curation and dissemination of the resulting records (including the physical archives of the NMR) are essential functions which must be maintained, both at national and regional level. It is more debatable whether a separate and independent body like the Royal Commission is needed to perform them.

Q3 What would be the impact if RCAHMW functions were discontinued?

Unless these functions could be absorbed into a different, responsible national framework, the impact on the historic environment, and the understanding and appreciation of it, would be considerable and wholly adverse.

Q4 Are there functions that might advantageously be carried out by other bodies?

Any of the Commission’s functions could be devolved, but not all to advantage. It is more to the point that all of these functions must be adequately resourced, whichever body undertakes them. This answer is expanded in the letter.

Q5-8 Should RCAHMW be merged with another organisation?

Yes, on its performance over the past ten years, we feel that the Royal Commission should be merged with a more broadly mandated Cadw, but not in such a way that the independence of the record arm is lost altogether.

We see many advantages, both in policy matters and administrative costs, in the establishment of a single body for those archaeological functions in Wales which need to be performed at a national level. But we are also concerned that the public should be able to seek disinterested advice from experts who are independent from the regulators. This point is expanded in the letter.

Q8a/9 How effective is corporate planning? How effective is the match between resources and targets?

We have the impression that the Commission has ‘lost its way’.

Q10 & 11 are answered very briefly

Q12/14 Questions relating to the Royal Commission’s achievements.

Information management is still a relevant and important role requiring a central and permanent base, with professional curation both for the growing digital record and for the physical collections of the NMR. In recent years the Commission and its external partners have put considerable effort into developing on-line services, such as END and CARN, and these efforts should be maintained and developed further.

The maintenance and co-ordination of air photographic cover for Wales and the rapid creation of maps from new and existing aerial photographs are areas of archaeological survey in which the Royal Commission has a special role to play. These are important aspects of national survey for which some form of central management is important and should be perpetuated.

The specialist books published in recent years by the Commission are an impressive contribution to scholarship and have also given wide access to the material in the Commission files. Such publications should be encouraged, but an independent body is not essential to produce them.

Minor points were made in answer to Q15/22

In conclusion we reiterated our key points:

• our concern at the apparent decline of the Royal Commission over recent decades
• our belief that the historic environment might be better served by the merger between the Royal Commission and a more broadly-based Cadw
• our anxiety that the formation of a single body for the historic environment should not deny ­ indeed should reinstate ­ public and professional access to independent advice
• the consequent need to maintain a certain distance between the regulatory and record arms of such a combined body

Frances Lynch, Chairman, CBA Wales/Cymru

A Research Agenda for Welsh Archaeology

The last CBA Wales newsletter reported on the progress of the Steering Group overseeing the development of a research agenda for Welsh archaeology.

The first stage of the process, an audit of the current resource has just been completed by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts and the documents produced will be widely circulated for comment. The second stage will take the format of four regionally based seminars at which invited speakers will be asked to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and biases of our current knowledge. The seminars will take place in the Autumn with the dates and venues arranged as follows:

The seminars are open to all those with an interest in Welsh archaeology, so come along and tell us what you think are the priorities for future research. For further details contact Kate Geary, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Tel. 01248 352535 E-mail kate.geary@heneb.co.uk or Gwilym Hughes, Cambria Archaeology Tel 01558 823131 E-mail gwilym@acadat.com.

Kate Geary, Chairperson IFA Wales/Cymru

Historic Environment of Wales Conference at Cwmamam Workmen’s Institute, 10th July 2002.

The morning session was chaired by Richard Cuthbertson, who is the Chairman of the National Trust’s Committee for Wales and the afternoon by Professor Gareth Wyn Jones, of Bangor. All the presentations were quite short, none ran over and the overall feeling was of competently run conference with a distinct purpose in mind.

Four statements were circulated as the aims of the day, these were to:
• Raise awareness of the breadth and diversity of the historic environment;
• Demonstrate why it is important and why it is currently cared for;
• Show how it can contribute to social and economic regeneration, learning and education and social inclusion;
• Consider the next steps towards developing a future for the historic environment in Wales.

The conference commenced very well and possibly the most pertinent comment of the day came from Sue Essex AM, the Minister for the Environment, during her "Welcome" address, where she quoted from a Joni Mitchell song of the 1970’s: "... you don’t know what you’ve got till its gone — they razed paradise and put up a parking lot".

As an overview, Professor Dai Smith delivered a rousing lecture on the wonders of the Welsh Heritage. Identifying the economic benefits, Professor Steve Hill discussed potential spin-offs from positive management of the historic environment. This theme was picked up by Primrose Hill from Northern Ireland, who demonstrated by way of a series case studies, instances where community pressure had lead to the preservation of several important historic buildings that would otherwise have been demolished. Those who "care" for the Historic Environment of Wales were next given a slot. Tom Cassidy, chief Executive of Cadw explained the organisation’s role. Peter Wakelin, Cadw Inspector for Industrial Archaeology outlined how the massive programme of conservation work at the Blaenavon blast furnace was now beginning to benefit the town itself. Peter Broomhead, Director of the National Trust, Wales showed how partnerships could be forged between different organisation engaged in heritage conservation. Jennifer Stewart, the Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for Wales revealed how all of this might be funded. Finally, Gwilym Hughes Director of Cambria Archaeological Trust explained how Tir Gofal was a major factor in steering farming enterprise towards the conservation of the historic landscape. This morning session was rounded off by a summary from Merfyn Williams, director of CPRW.

The afternoon began with an introductory statement from Sue Essex and then moved onto three examples of positive management from Dr Seán O’Reilly (Scotland), Nick Johnson (Cornwall) and John Ducie of an Taisce (Ireland). The conference then split into groups to discuss a number of inter-related themes which were subsequently expanded upon in a report-back session. For example, my own group were given the question: "What do we understand by the historic environment". There were a number of interesting comments from the floor at various points throughout the day. In all quite an inspiring conference but still some way to go putting all the good intentions into effect. As one of the delegates noted as we walked out of the Institute, all windows (and most of the doors) in the houses in Cwmaman, which is potentially a very pleasant settlement of the type that could well attract heritage related investment, have been replaced with UPVC. This is arguably the very opposite of positive heritage management and a factor which serious detracts from the character of the town.

John Latham, National Trust Wales

Launch of leaflet "Wales: History, Archaeology and Culture" produced jointly by CBA, The National Trust, CPRW and IFA Cymru.

The above conference proved a very appropriate launch pad for the leaflet on the historic environment which the CBA Wales committee has been working on over the past year. The leaflets are targeted at Assembly Members, planners and other policy setters and decision makers. CBA Wales hasn’t been able to afford to print a vast number, and so unfortunately we are unable to put one in with each Newsletter. However, if any members can guarantee to get them into the right hands we would be happy to send some out. We have benefited greatly from the design expertise of the National Trust and are also most grateful to Trefor Owen, erstwhile director of St Fagan’s for the Welsh translation.

Menter Môn and Community Heritage projects on Anglesey

Menter Môn is a rural development and enterprise agency based at Llangefni. They have recently secured funding for Leader + (European programme) for the Island and within this programme two heritage related projects have been identified. In addition, a feasibility study, referred to as Mona Antiqua, on the Island’s heritage infrastructure has been commissioned in partnership with Isle of Anglesey County Council, the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh Tourist Board.

The Mona Antiqua study comprises a multidisciplinary team who will produce a Regional Interpretative Plan for Anglesey focussing on the subjects and themes that tell the unique story of the island, such as ancient history, archaeology, geology, natural history, historic buildings, local traditions and industrial and social heritage. This will be premised on the contents of a database that identifies the island’s key heritage sites where stories can be presented to visitors through a variety of interpretative media. Over 2000 records within the database have been sifted through to produce a short list of some 120 sites. In addition, each community council has been contacted consultations have been held with all relevant bodies in concerned sectors.

The Leader + projects have funding to hand that can be used to help improve infrastructure at some of the key heritage sites. Actions will include improving the access, increasing the interpretative material in collaboration with the relevant communities and choosing the broader themes through which to promote the heritage. The second Leader project aims to identify buildings with heritage related value which have fallen in to disrepair. The project will be applied where these buildings are highly visible and in important locations, and where there are economic development outputs to be gained by undertaking repairs and improvements.

It is hoped that Menter Môn will increasingly be able to generate similar projects and work with community groups on the island in the heritage sector, now that it has appointed someone specifically for this purpose.

Neil Johnstone, Menter Môn

Recent community archaeology initiatives in south and south-west Wales

Cambria Archaeology and Carmarthen Museum joined forces to put on a day of activities and information as part of the CBA's National Archaeology Weekend. The event, held at Carmarthen Museum on Saturday 20th July, had something for all the family. Everyone had a go at making their own medieval tile and exploring a rubbish bin gave an insight into the work of an archaeologist. A specially designed quiz took people on a tour of the museum and the video microscope allowed close up inspection of everyday objects. The "SMR roadshow" gave people the chance to look at what we know about their area and to share what they knew. The chance to handle real and replica artefacts was very popular as was the chance to have that mystery object identified. Finally, a colouring competition allowed budding young artists the chance to shine. The event was felt by all to be a success and we look forward to a bigger and better event next year.

Cambria Archaeology has been developing a more active outreach ethos over the past year. Promotion of the work that Cambria undertakes has been a strong theme. The website, www.acadat.com is updated on a regular basis and contains information on Cambria, it’s general aims and objectives as well as reports on specific projects. A first edition of a biannual newsletter has just come back from the printers and will be distributed widely. It was launched at the Eisteddfod alongside the most recent leaflet in the Introducing Historic Landscapes series. The new leaflet focuses on the historic landscape of the St David’s area. If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter, e-mail Paul@acadat.com.

A wider outreach programme is currently being developed. It can best be summarised by the mission statement: "Giving people opportunities to connect with knowledge of their past in order to enrich their cultural and social experiences and improve their economic circumstances". There will be more about this aspect in a future edition of this newsletter.

Jenny Hall, Cambria Archaeology

Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust participated for the first time in the National Archaeology Weekend events by holding an Open Day at its new offices at Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea. The main activities on the day were a Roman cookery demonstration, SMR searches for local history, and finds identification (as part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme). These were supplemented by exhibitions on maritime archaeology (with some wood finds from the Newport Medieval Ship), Tir Gofal, finds from Swansea Metal Detectors and on the work of both Cadw and the Trust.

About 100 members of the public attended the event, and encouragingly, several have since returned to undertake further research. The children's activities included a quiz, a colouring competition, and prehistoric pot making. The event proved a success providing a valuable link with the public of the area.

Martin Locock, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust

Gwynedd and Môn Branch of the Young Archaeologists Club opened

The Gwynedd and Môn Branch of the Young Archaeologists Club opened its doors earlier this year, becoming the third branch of the Club in Wales. Covering the whole of north west Wales the group has taken part in a wide range of activities, some designed to give a flavour of the work of the archaeologist like artefact drawing and site surveying and some hands on activities like flint knapping and making stone tools, as well as visiting archaeological sites including Llys Rhosyr and the excavations at Tywyn y Capel, both on Anglesey. We have also taken part in some filming for S4C, with one of our members finding fame as the star of a children’s programme about young people with interesting hobbies.

The club is run jointly by Pat West of the Bangor Museum and Art Gallery and Kate Geary of Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and meets once a month, usually on the third Saturday. Venues vary but our home is the Bangor Museum, which is where we will be meeting on Saturday, September 21st after our summer break. New members are always welcome, so if there are any keen young archaeologists out there, come along and join us.

Programme September 2002 - February 2003
Meetings will take place between 2.00 - 4.00p.m. unless otherwise arranged.

For more information please contact Pat West on (01248 353368) or Kate Geary on (01248 370926)

The Roman Fort Environs Project, north west Wales

Detailed topographical surveys have been produced for the visible remains of most of the surviving auxiliary forts of Gwynedd and several have been excavated. In most cases the work only extended as far as the edge of the visible earthworks. A great deal of evidence has accumulated, both in Wales and further afield demonstrating that Roman forts should not be seen as standing alone in the landscape but instead viewed as the centre of a wider area of both military and civilian activity. Evidence from cropmarks, rescue excavation and chance finds has revealed the presence of extramural remains at several forts in Gwynedd but the evidence was general fragmentary. The Cadw funded Roman Fort Environs Project aims to gain information about the environs of the forts using fluxgate gradiometer survey. Gwynedd Archaeological Trust has so far carried out surveys at the following sites: Cefn Caer (Pennal), Caer Gai (Llanuwcllyn), Pen Llystyn (Bryncir), Caer Llugwy (Capel Curig) and Canovium (Caerhun). The surveys have produced a wealth of new information about the forts and their environs. The results from the previously largely unexplored fort at Cefn Caer, Pennal are particularly informative showing details of the fort and its defences set in a wider landscape containing both military and civilian features including a vicus alongside the road to the north east of the fort (see figure).

Caer Llugwy was partly excavated in 1920-22 and a square fort with eccentrically placed gates was identified along with an annexe to the west, containing stone buildings set at an oblique angle to the defences. The geophysical survey clearly shows the principia to be positioned in an unusual position, at the rear of the square fort (see figure). The fort defences extend around the annexe and faint traces of buildings aligned with the defences can be seen within it. This evidence implies that the fort was originally a typical playing card shape but was reduced in size by the construction of a rampart and ditch behind the principia.. The remaining portion of the fort was then reused as an annexe. This reduction in size probably reflects the decline in the Roman garrisons at the end of the first century.

David Hopewell, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust

A Later Mesolithic assemblage on Bardsey Island

Ploughing in fields towards the northern end of Bardsey Island has brought to light an exciting and potentially important scatter of prehistoric material. The scatter is comprised of flintwork of various forms: flakes, blades, cores and other forms of working debris which, taken together, indicate that the immediate area may have witnessed some form of occupation in prehistory. Given the field conditions when the discovery was made, it was decided that a delay in recording might lead to a loss of information. For that reason, we undertook the first stage of a systematic collection of surface evidence; field-walking and plotting each piece of worked stone individually.

The form and range of this material is particularly interesting. Characteristic pieces suggest that the bulk of the assemblage probably dates to the Later Mesolithic; a period spanning the chronological range of c. 7000-4000BC. Further collection and detailed analysis will be needed to test this suggestion. However, the indications are that we are dealing with traces of a settlement/working area dating to a period when hunting and gathering communities moved across land and sea exploiting a variety of what we would recognise as wild resources. How far the beginning of the Neolithic marked a break with these traditions, and with older ways of working stone, is as yet, uncertain.

Sites of a broadly similar character and date have been recognised on the mainland and at several different locations on the Lleyn Peninsula. However, many of these have been chance finds as a result of erosion, or the results of long and varied sequences of casual collection. Beyond the character of the material itself, one of the things that makes the Bardsey assemblage exciting is the fact that it has not come to light in this way. The potential exists to take a systematic approach to collection and analysis which could shed important light on the character and duration of activities on the island before farming began. Further collection and evaluation work is planned for spring 2003.

Mark Edmonds, University of Sheffield
Tom Dawson, Bardsey Island Trust
Robert Johnston, University of Wales, Bangor

Excavations at Tywyn y Capel, Anglesey

Following this excavation the mound was protected by a new wall and by ground netting. However, subsequent storms breached the adjoining sea wall, destroyed the protecting wall and again eroded the mound. It was decided to excavate and record the remains before natural erosion removed all remaining evidence. The first phase of this work, funded by Cadw, was in July 2002 in conjunction with the University of Central Lancashire, Centre for Forensic Science, led by Michael Wysocki and with students from there and from the University of Wales, Cardiff, Department of Archaeology.

Some 200 to 300 tons of blown sand was removed to the upper of the two buried land surfaces identified during the previous trial excavations. This revealed the entire surface of the surviving portion of the mound, as it existed in the second half of the 18th century when the ruins of the medieval chapel still stood. A spread of large stone slabs was found along the eroded crest of the mound and scattered down its landward slope. These stones were associated with mortar fragments and probably represent collapsed masonry debris from the chapel, although no architectural fragments were found. Below this level thirty eight inhumations were excavated, forming the last major phase of use of the cemetery but not necessarily closely contemporary as some inter-cutting had occurred. These were simple dug graves, aligned east-west with the head to the west. Several burials survived only partially as a result of erosion of the mound or disturbance by later burial. There was also evidence for reburial of disturbed fragments and stray, eroded skeletal fragments were found scattered throughout the later blown sand of the mound. Infants and juveniles dominate the inhumations, followed by young adult females. In at least two cases adult and infant were buried together. There was some slight variation in burial practice, mostly simply extended with hands crossed over the sacral region, in one case with an arm cradling an infant. Sometimes feet were crossed, probably indicating use of a shroud but there was no evidence of coffins. In two cases bodies were laid on their side.

The skeletal remains will be studied at the University of Central Lancashire and will also be the subject of a DNA research project there, prior to re-interment, probably at the present day church of St Ffraid’s, Trearddur Bay.

Andrew Davidson & George Smith, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust

2002 Autumn Meeting

The Grand Hotel, Prestatyn

The Autumn Business Meetina and Annual General Meeting of CBA Wales/Cymnu will be held in The Grand Hotel, Beach Road East, Prestatyn (location map) on the morning of Saturday 19 October 2002. The Symposium, held in association with the Flintshire Historical Society, in the aftemoon; non-members of either group will also be very welcome.

Business Meeting: 11.00am

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the Spring Business Meeting held in Scolton Manor, Pembrokeshire
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
   
   Reports
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Membership Secretary
7. Editors
8. Historic Building Secretary
9. Publications Secretary
10. Industrial Archaeology Offcer
11. Countryside Link Offcer
12. Education Liaison Officer
13. Other reports
    
    
14. Future meetings
    The Spring Business Meeting and Symposium 2003 will be held in Montgomery in association with the Powysland Club on March 29th, provisionally with Aerial Archaeology as its theme. Any suggestions for, or offers of, future venues would be welcomed by the Secretary.
15. Other business

Annual General Meeting: 12:30-1.00pm

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in Shrewsbury on 20 October 2001
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
4. Chairman's Review of the Year
5. To receive the audited accounts for 2001-2002
6. To appoint a Historic Building Secretary, Newsletter Editor & Committee member
7. To appoint an Auditor
8. Other business

Symposium - Recent Work in Wales 2.00-5.OOpm

CBA Wales and the Flintshire Historical Society will have bookstalls displaying their own publications, and at the CBA bookstall there will also be a selection of Central CBA publications for sale.