Archaeology of Wales
Iron Age Wales
A Bronze reign guide from a Celtic chariot dating to 50–80 CE was discovered near Pentyrch in 1965. Celtic chariots were a sign of high status and this type of bronze work with red glass was also discovered in the first-ever Celtic chariot burial in Wales in 2018. It is possible these chariots were used to battle against Romans and Vikings by the Celts in Wales.[16][17]
Roman Wales
Medieval Wales
The large-scale
Artefacts from the medieval period also show evidence of Celtic Christianity. Augustine become the bishop of Canterbury in 590 AD, however,
Early Modern Period
A gold ring with the image of a skull was discovered in Carreghofa, Powys in 2019. According to the National Museum of Wales, this ring is a memento more and is a reminder of the inevitability of death and also signifies the high mortality rates during this period (dated 1550–1650) compared to the modern-day.[35]
Industrial Wales to Present
Wales had a 400 year period of
Notable sites
Pentre Ifan, a Neolithic cromlech, is symbolic of Welsh heritage,[38] and is called one of Wales' most well known prehistoric monuments.[39]
The site has been studied since 1603 and was likely a communal burial site and sacred space throughout its use.[38] In Anglesey, the Neolithic site of Bryn Celli Ddu, which consists of a henge and chambered tomb, is also frequently visited.[40][41]
A notable Bronze Age site is the
The iron age fort of Tre'r Ceiri is one of the best-preserved and most intact sites of its kind within the UK.[20][44][45][46] Over time it has been the focus of intense archaeological study,[46] with the earliest evidence for a human occupation being a Bronze Age cairn. The site was occupied during Roman times, with large amounts of Roman artefacts being excavated. Occupation ended in the 4th century CE; however, the site is still a major tourist destination.[41][45]
There are several prominent Roman sites that have been excavated in Wales. In North Wales, Segontium, near Caernarfon, is of note: it is the largest Roman fort in the area and a big tourist attraction.[41] The site also includes a temple and town. Isca Augusta, modern Caerleon, is a similar military site and is also the location of the National Roman Legion Museum. Another site, Venta Silurum, demonstrates the best-preserved Roman defensive walls within the UK.[47]
Offa's Dyke, a medieval earthwork created as a demarcation border between England and Wales,[48] and its route is now followed by a popular long-distance path.[41] Other popular medieval sites include Tintern Abbey, Carreg Cennen, and the castles at Conwy, Caerphilly, Caernarfon, Cardiff and Pembroke.[41]
There are four
Institutions
There are many institutions involved with archaeology in Wales. The dominant institutions form a 'tripod' for protecting, recording and understanding archaeology and cultural heritage: these are Cadw, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), and the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.[52]
Cadw is the government agency responsible for the historic environment of Wales, involved with caring for and maintaining historic sites while also encouraging public access and engagement. They are also responsible for promoting archaeological research throughout Wales, such as their support for excavations at Dryslwyn Castle.[53] The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) is another government body, which by Royal Warrant collects, maintains and distributes archaeological and historic information in addition to its responsibilities regarding national standards on these topics.[54] The four Welsh Archaeological Trusts are independent charities that deliver some services that in other parts of the UK are delivered by central or local government: they are the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust and the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust; each trust focuses on their its respective region to help manage, research, promote and educate the public about archaeology.[55]
Other charities include the Council for British Archaeology Wales Cymru which is the Welsh branch of a UK wide charity, involved in supporting archaeologists and promoting heritage in Wales, such as through their initiative.[clarification needed] the Young Archaeologists Club.[56][57][58] Another notable charity is the Cambrian Archaeological Association, which studies and educates on Welsh archaeology as well as publishing a yearly journal, Archaeologia Cambrensis.[59]
Universities in Wales that offer courses on archaeology include the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Bangor University, Swansea University, Aberystwyth University and Cardiff University[60]
Return of artefacts to Wales
Public engagement
Around Wales, a variety of museums, organisations and charities help promote archaeology to the public. This includes access to many sites, monuments and museums, such as the 121 sites Cadw manages.[63] Public engagement is also encouraged by re-enactment and living history demonstrations and museums, such as Castell Henllys, a reconstructed Iron Age hillfort, and the St Fagans Folklore Museum, which recreates various aspects of Welsh history, with the latter receiving 683,613 visitors in 2018/19.[64] Similar sites include Cosmeston Medieval Village, a 14th-century living history museum. Accessibility is also improved with free online heritage databases, such as Coeflin or Archwilio, run by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and the Welsh Archaeological Trusts respectively.
The Council for British Archaeology hosts a Festival of Archaeology, which includes events in Wales.[65] Other organisations have also hosted archaeological days, such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Archaeology Day.[66]
Volunteer community projects also encourage public engagement in archaeology throughout Wales. These are mainly delivered by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts and partner organisations. Examples are:
- the Chirk Castle Community Archaeology Project run by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and the National Trust with funding from Cadw
- the excavations at St Patrick's Chapel by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust and the University of Sheffield with support from Cadw, the Nineveh Charitable Trust and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority[67]
- the North-East Wales Community Archaeology projects run by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust with funding from Cadw[68]
- the Dinas Dinlle hillfort excavations being undertaken by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and the RCAHMW with funding from the EU 'CHERISH' project[69]
History of Wales |
---|
- Big Pit National Coal Museum
- Blaenavon Ironworks
- Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
- Castell Henllys
- Ceredigion Museum
- Cosmeston Medieval Village
- Dolaucothi Gold Mines
- Gower Heritage Centre
- Kidwelly Industrial Museum
- Llancaiach Fawr
- National Museum Cardiff
- National Roman Legion Museum
- National Waterfront Museum
- Radnorshire Museum
- Rhondda Heritage Park
- Segontium
- St Fagans National Museum of History
- Strata Florida Abbey
- Swtan Heritage Museum
- Sygun Copper Mine
- Tenby Museum and Art Gallery
- Y Gaer
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