Archaeol Wales 41

This work forms the second stage of a multi-season project designed to build up an understanding of the long-term development and use of a relatively well-defined parcel of estate land. Work to date has included topographic and geophysical survey which both revealed unsuspected anomalies and confirmed the presence of those suggested by aerial photography. Bryn Yr Hen Bobl itself is a large Neolithic chambered cairn, one part of which is a unique `terrace' structure.

A report on continuing excavation at this medieval urban site. A range of large regular structures (previously identified by geophysical survey) was excavated and is thought to be drainage ditches and/or burgage plot divisions. A series of major buildings and road surfaces were also examined. The finds included metalworking debris, pottery and a lead ampulla.

Lowering of a floor, prior to its replacement, led to excavation which revealed a series of earlier floors, memorials and burials all dated to the post-medieval and early modern periods. An unsuccessful attempt was made to locate earlier, Roman, levels.

Excavation of a badly disturbed site prior to road construction. A range of stone-lined and filled features were noted, and are thought possibly to be geomorphological rather than man-made. Radiocarbon determinations suggest a Mesolithic date.

The preserved remains of a thirteenth-century pottery kiln were examined during a watching brief. The structure of the kiln and the kiln wasters are described.

The proposed construction of a visitor centre at the Abbey led to small-scale excavation, which revealed little. Includes specialist reports on