Archaeology in Wales

In August 2011 a team of volunteers undertook the first excavation on the site since the 1880s the first objective was to record the topography of the cave's immediate surroundings, including what was clearly a large spoil-heap outside its entrance. The second was to determine the depth of the spoil-heap soil and what could be retrieved from it. The excavation suggested that the spoil from the cave was of a significant depth and covered a large area. A significant assemblage was recovered including Palaeolithic debitage and Aurignacian burin spalls. Holocene lithic material indicating post-Palaeolithic occupation of the cave included a 'Deepcarr-type' early Mesolithic assemblage dating to around 9400-9000BP, late Mesolithic scalene triangle with two sides retouched. A single piece of pottery of probable Bronze Age date was also recovered. Large quantities of animal bone were recovered from the spoil heap including woolly rhino, horse, reindeer, hyaena and a bovid (possibly bison), all characteristic of the cold period 65-10,000 years ago and therefore broadly contemporary with the archaeological assemblage. Au/SH

An evaluation was undertaken in 2008 to inform the future management of the site, which was being eroded by walkers on the Offa's Dyke long-distance footpath. In may 2009 the area of the cairn was examined prior to its reconstruction, with the results indicating that the original cairn is likely to have been constructed in the Bronze Age as a burial monument, although no dating evidence was recovered. 19th century disturbance to the centre of the cairn had removed all traces of the primary inhumation or cremation but the central pit could still be observed. Au/SH

A survey of hillforts and defended enclosures in Wales was carried out between 2004 and 2006 by the four Welsh trusts for Cadw with the aim to produce an up-to-date record of all sites and an assessment of all those that were not currently protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Includes specialist reports for animal bone and environment analyses. The full reports with specialist contributions can be consulted at Gwynedd Historic Environment Record (GAT report nos 823 and 1059).

In September 2010 an engraving of a cervid, probably a reindeer, was discovered at the rear of Cathole Cave. A datable flowstone (stal) covered part of the engraving and this short report outlines the context in which the rock art was found and the technique of Uranium Series dating used to assign a date of 12,572 ± 600 years BP (GN-10 GHS2) from the overlying flowstone and 14,505 ± 560 years BP (CAT 11#4) from a further flowstone to the left of the muzzle. Au/SH

In 2011 an unusually hot spell of weather during April revealed very clear cropmarks of the Romano-British enclosure on Broad Heath enabling a more detailed plan to be produced showing that the enclosure is one of the more complex sites known from the Welsh Borderlands.

A survey in 2011 completed examining all areas in and around the fort where there was greatest potential for traces of activity. Although the survey did not add anything conclusive regarding the proposed lined of the fort's eastern defences, it did appear to indicate the limit of Roman activity in the northern part of the site and revealed two enclosures in the eastern area of greater complexity than expected. The survey of the western part of the fort was hampered by modern ferrous and garden anomalies.

A review of Welsh and broader UK digital communication and engagement technologies used for Public Archaeology in light of the Welsh Assembly Government launching the 'Digital Wales' strategy in 2010. SH