Pembrokeshire

A metal detectorist has found what is thought to be the first Celtic chariot burial to be uncovered in Wales.

The burial ritual was reserved for high-ranking chiefs who would be interred complete with their chariot, horses, tack and even weapons.

Mike Smith believes his find may point to a huge undiscovered Iron Age settlement nearby.

National Museum Wales describes the finds as “significant and exciting”.

The actual location in south Pembrokeshire is being kept secret while archaeologists prepare for a major dig next year.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46294000

“Recent investigation of Skokholm by the Royal Commission using LiDAR has revealed extraordinary new details about the prehistoric and medieval occupation of this remote and beautiful Pembrokeshire island. The Commission’s own Olly Davis describes some of these recent discoveries in the fifth episode in the ITV Wales series Dream Island on Friday 19th at 8pm.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

Heritage of Wales News reports today that -

“Skokholm is a small island half a mile across located off the south western coast of Pembrokeshire, about two miles south of its larger island neighbour Skomer. Using innovative new survey techniques a small team from the Royal Commission has been investigating how people lived and farmed these Pembrokeshire islands in the past – much of the focus has recently been on Skomer, – but now, the fascinating story of Skokholm is beginning to be revealed.

“In the early twentieth century archaeologists recorded flint scatters on the island – probably the waste from the production of flint blades and scrapers by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. But now, guided by an extraordinary new LiDAR survey of Skokholm, which uses a laser mounted on an aircraft to create a highly detailed terrain model of the island’s ground surface, we’ve been able to reveal the fields and settlements of the Iron Age and Medieval inhabitants and begin to tell their story.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

“Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Stonehenge is the origins of the stones themselves. How did bluestones from the Welsh Preseli Mountains become the construction material for the site of Stonehenge built some 5000 years ago?

“Professor Mike Parker Pearson of University College London is leading a collaborative project involving universities from across the UK in looking at this enigma. Their work has brought them back to Preseli in search of the quarries and sites that may be the start of the longest journey for megaliths anywhere in prehistoric Europe.

“Following initial investigations in 2011 the team have returned to excavate a quarry site at Brynberian, North Pembrokeshire,

“On Tuesday 18th of September at 7pm, at Brynberian Old School, Professor Mike Parker Pearson will be presenting a talk on the results of the project so far. Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be a small charge to cover refreshments.”

Tivyside Advertiser – tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/9922213.Stonehenge_s_Preseli_link/

The Welsh Rock Art Association are holding a field school in Preseli Pembrokeshire in Sept to Oct 2012.

Quite expensive, but thought I’d add it here

rock-art-in-wales.co.uk/top/events.html

A collection of Bronze Age artefacts found by a man with a metal detector in a Pembrokeshire field may end up at the National Museum Wales.

The tools, a weapon, and other items which were found by Gavin Palmer near Manorbier have been declared treasure by the county’s coroner.

The museum says the find helps shed light on how people lived in west Wales 3,000 years ago.

It is having the find independently valued with a view to buying the items.

The money would be split between Mr Palmer and the landowner.

The items were buried around 1000 to 800BC.
Mr Palmer came across the 19 objects while metal detecting in the corner of a field in August last year.

They can be dated to the Late Bronze Age and were buried around 1000 to 800BC.

An archaeological survey of the area was subsequently carried out by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust.

It suggested the artefacts had once been buried together as a hoard in an isolated pit.

No further Bronze Age objects were found and a geophysical survey did not reveal evidence of a settlement or monument in the immediate vicinity.

Adam Gwilt, curator of the museum’s Bronze Age collections, said: “This varied group of bronze objects helps us to understand the kinds of tools, weapons and personal dress items that were in use and circulation in west Wales towards the end of the Bronze Age.

“The hoard may have been buried during a ritual ceremony held by a nearby community of farmers and metalworkers.”

He said the museum planned to acquire the hoard following its valuation.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-15493977

From the BBC News:

“Ancient sites and monuments in north Pembrokeshire have been blighted with graffiti, broken glass and an abandoned car, it has been claimed.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority says a car contaminated a Site of Special Scientific Interest below the Carn Ffoi Iron Age Fort.

It also says a megalithic stone at Bedd Arthur, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, has had names scratched into it.

Historic monuments agency Cadw said damage was often “irreversible”.

The park authority’s criticisms followed news that another ancient stone, Bedd Morris near Newport, was recently toppled after being hit by a vehicle.”

The full article on the BBC News site

From an article published on the BBC News web site on 24th August 2006:

Archaeologists working on a gas pipeline near Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire have unearthed what they believe to be a 3,400-year-old canoe.

Work has stopped on a section of the pipeline near St Botolphs to allow the Bronze Age oak relic to be recovered.

It is the first such discovery in Wales and only 150 exist across Europe.

Read the full article...

A fire last year? destroyed a large area of heather and scrub above Fishguard’s ferry port in Pembrokeshire. The land is owned by the National Trust and by Stena Sealink, and is used by grazing stock, fishermen and walkers.

Polly Groom, an archaeologist for Pembrokeshire National Park, working with Cambrian Archaeology, said, “We believed that this could be a Bronze Age burial site, dating from perhaps 3,000 years ago, but now we have the proof.

“The fire was disastrous as it came at a key time for wildlife but it has had an unexpected bonus, revealing evidence of extensive human use of the area over many centuries. There is some stonework remaining from what we consider to be a burial mound which had been disturbed in the past.

“We have also found what appear to be the remains of prehistoric field boundaries as we know exist on other headlands in north Pembrokeshire, like Strumble and St David’s Head.”

from
icWales