Tag: archaeology

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Archaeology Arts Film Outcomes Reports

Linda Norris ‘Fragment Dresser’

Artist

Linda Norris
‘Fragment Dresser’

Linda is a painter and glass artist based in Pembrokeshire and was commissioned alongside three other Welsh and Irish artists to create new work that spoke to the following themes:

  • Personal or collective pilgrimage or journeying
  • Sacred Places
  • Celtic diaspora, ancestral heritage and a longing for home
  • Creative Storytelling that connects North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford

Linda’s work centred around the idea of pottery sherds found in most people’s gardens that tell a story of domestic life and ordinary people.  Her initial proposal was to get people to send her found sherds with a ///what3words location tag and a story associated with them, however, as she began work it transpired that within the Republic of Ireland, these are considered archaeological artefacts and it would be illegal to do so. Instead, Linda started working with Welsh poet, Emma Baines, to run a series of in-person and online creative writing workshops to which participants brought along found sherds and responded with poetry and prose.

 

“Thank you so much for an incredibly fruitful set of workshops. The poetry we wrote is given a new fragility and dimension by your artwork.” Ali McGuire, workshop participant, Ireland.

 

The handwritten poems were then directly incorporated into Linda’s artwork, the Fragment Dresser. This exceptionally beautiful piece used glass combined with light projection to exploit the relationships between transparency and opacity achievable by sandblasting clear glass.

A video of Linda making the artwork:

Linday chose the dresser as it is an iconic piece of furniture central to domestic life in both Ireland and Wales. It is passed down through generations and is evocative of ideas about ‘home’ and ‘family’. The dresser is a repository for memory and shared experience and is also an item of cultural display.

 

A video of the final artwork:

Several offshoots of the project have emerged, including:

  • Bards ‘n Shards – a piece commissioned by Narberth Museum, creating ceramic pieces responding o the writing that took place in the creative writing workshops with Emma Baines
  • Shards Jewellery – making jewellery from found shards
  • Soil Collection – from archaeological sites to use in forthcoming work
  • Limpets – gilded 1000 year old limpet shells from the St Patricks Chapel archaeological site, excavated and discarded as part of the archaeological dig commissioned by Ancient Connections.

 

You can download Linda’s full report on her Ancient Connections residency below:

Linda Norris Residency Report

Click here to get in touch with Linda or to find out more about her work. 

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Archaeology Film Outcomes

Pembrokeshire Interpretation

FILM

Pembrokeshire Interpretation

Zed Motions was contracted to interpret a number of sites in Pembrokeshire

1. St Patricks Chapel in Whitesands near St Davids

A short film about St Patricks Chapel in Whitesands near St Davids, reveals the story behind archaeological finds during Dyfed Archaeological Trust excavations 2019, 2020, 2021.  After severe storms in 2014 pounded the bay, human remains were uncovered, instigating archaeological excavation before this history was lost to the sea. 

The ensuing digs uncovered a cemetery, foundations of the chapel and an unusual find connecting Pembrokeshire to Ireland. The film includes a CGI reconstruction of St Patrick’s Chapel Whitesands using Dyfed Archaeological Trust’s findings from their dig. The long version of the film can also be found on PCNPA website and a short version of the film can be seen in the café at Whitesands Beach.

‘Discovering Donoec: Findings from a decade of digging at Whitesands’ (English):

'Darganfod Donoec: Darganfyddiadau degawd o gloddio ym Mhorth Mawr’ (Cymraeg):

2. Church of St Gwyndaf in Llanwnda

An Audio Guide using Info Point technology, which delivers content to visitor’s electronic devices (phones or tablets) was created for the Church of St Gwyndaf in Llanwnda; a significant site with a rich history, fascinating features and a wealth of stories to tell.

The church is dedicated to St Gwyndaf, a 6th-century Christian saint who, it is believed, was a native of Brittany and who settled for a time in Pembrokeshire. In addition, a leaflet has been made which is available at the church.

Location below:

3. Fishguard Marine Walk Interpretation Boards

Six interpretation panels were produced in collaboration with Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council. The boards interpret key moments in Fishguard and Goodwick’s history. You can visit the boards by walking the Marine Walk in Fishguard with beautiful views of Fishguard Bay. 

These Marine Walk panels were illustrated and designed by Jason Jones at Yume Creative.  

Click here for more information on the Marine Walk.

Other Interpretations

  1. Two new leaflets for Saints and Stones tours. View website here.

     2.  A mural on the side of Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard

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Archaeology Film Outcomes

Irish Archaeological Field School

Archaeology

Irish Archaeological Field School

The Irish Archaeological Field School carried out a community excavation and 3 field school excavations in Ferns, as well as online training courses, an Aidan’s Monastery activity day, a schools and families engagement programme and the publication of a book entitled ‘Uncovering Medieval Ferns’.

You can find the reports at the bottom of the page.

Introduction to Ferns video

Discovering St Aidan’s Monastery

Clone Community Dig

Clone, Ferns Community Excavations 2019 - 2021

Ferns 2023 Excavation Wrap-up

Discovering St Aidan's Monastery 2021
Discovering St Aidan's Monastery 2022
Clone Community Excavation
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Archive Arts

“The Monk’s Garden” by David Begley – Artist in Residence Wexford


Artists in Residence

"The Monk's Garden" by David Begley – Artist in Residence Wexford

The Monk’s Garden, Ferns, Co. Wexford.

The Ancient Connections project is a rich mix of heritage, art and community development. In today’s blog, we’re shining a light on one of our fantastic arts projects. Here’s artist David Begley to tell us all about his wonderfully nurturing artist residency in Ferns.

The Monk’s Garden at St Edan’s National School, Ferns, is a twelve-week art, heritage and garden project. The children are sowing an eight by five metre plot inspired by medieval monastic gardens in order to learn about soil, seeds, germination, the importance of water, the history of farming and current farming practice; nurturing plants to grow food, the beauty and activities of insects, and much more.

We are sourcing locally to make art materials to respond to the garden – oak gall ink, reed pens, turkey feather quills, and learning how colours were once found and ground to illuminate goat skin parchments. Our bestiary is beginning to bleat and wriggle. Robins, rooks and sparrows.

We are experimenting with fleece to lay mulch, retain moisture and prevent erosion. Our archaeological dig has unearthed finds from 300,000 BC. Using homemade charcoal, we drew the school secretary in her Covid-19 mask; we wove a wattle fence and tiny nests with willow and hazel and we are coming to know the names and uses of herbs.

Image courtesy of David Begley, 2021.

Each week I bring a gift from the sea, a small find, to connect us to our Welsh neighbours. Clam shells for palettes. Scallops for bed borders. Sea coal. Vertebrae. Wrack.

We discuss drought, and the cost of shearing versus the price of wool, have learned what daggings are, have made compost, and heard that a cow can drink a bathtub of water per day.

Image courtesy of David Begley, 2021.

Masterpieces are being made by squeal and giggle or cross legged quiet upon the lawn. The children’s hands are dirty. Their classroom is an open field, a wattled rectangle, the feel of a lamb’s ear, the light of the sky and freedom of their imaginations. It’s a wonder to see the children enjoy this ‘work’ through play and experiment.

As we move into summer, our seedlings will soon become flowers, herbs, colours, fruit and tubers, our beans will sprout leaves and gargantuan stalks. So come July, the fantastic beasts the children are painting will have a place to call home.

David Begley 2021

The Monk’s Garden is part of David Begley’s Ancient Connections artist residency in Ferns. Follow the project at www.davidbegley.com and https://www.facebook.com/themonksgarden

David headshot 2 2
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Archaeology Archive Reports

Rediscovering Ancient Connections: Wexford – Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report

Archaeology

Rediscovering Ancient Connections: Wexford - Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report

Download Survey Report

Report Introduction

DigVentures was appointed by the Rediscovering Ancient Connections Project Team of Pembrokeshire County Council to carry out geophysical surveys across four sites in County Wexford, Ireland. The sites were located at Kildoran Graveyard (SF 77521 05529), Toome Graveyard (SG 02754 12642), Kilmyshall Old Graveyard (SF 86162 13767), and St Mary’s Field in Ferns (SF 95919 08664).

This report details the results of the geophysical magnetometer and ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys undertaken across the four sites between the 7th to the 10th of October 2021 (DigVentures Project Code ANC21), which forms part of a third phase of works following surveys undertaken at St David’s in August 2020 (Roberts, 2020) and across Pembrokeshire in May 2021 (DigVentures, 2021). Due to the Covid19 Pandemic, the community participation aspect of the works could not take place and the surveys were carried out independently. The potential of these results to achieve the Aims and Objectives of the project are discussed in the final section of this report, along with recommendations for further investigation.

This report conforms with current best practice and to the guidance outlined the Management of Archaeological Research Projects in the Historic Environment (Historic England 2015), the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (2014), and the Europae Archaeologiae Consilium (EAC) Guidelines for the Use of Geophysics in Archaeology (Schmidt et al. 2016).

The work forms part of the Rediscovering Ancient Connections – The Saints project, which is a cross-border heritage and arts program. The program is 80% funded by the European Rural Development Fund and is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, with joint beneficiaries Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford.

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Archaeology Archive Reports

Rediscovering Ancient Connections: Pembrokeshire – Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report

Archaeology

Rediscovering Ancient Connections: Pembrokeshire - Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report

Download Survey Report

Report Introduction

DigVentures was appointed by the Rediscovering Ancient Connections Project Team of Pembrokeshire County Council to carry out geophysical surveys across four sites in Pembrokeshire. The sites comprised of Capel yr Hen Fynwent (SM 77581 28267), Llanrhian Church (SM 81932 31446), The Church of the Holy Martyrs at Mathry (SM 87930 32000) and Rosina Vallis / Hodnant Porthclais Caerbwdy (SM 74080 24410).

This report details the results of the geophysical surveys undertaken across these sites between the 17th to the 21st May 2021 (DigVentures Project Code ANC21), which form a second phase of works following surveys undertaken at St David’s in August 2020 (Roberts, 2020). The potential of these results to achieve the Aims and Objectives of the project are discussed in the final section of this report, along with recommendations for further investigation.

In format and content, this report conforms with current best practice and to the guidance outlined the Management of Archaeological Research Projects in the Historic Environment (Historic England 2015), the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales (Edwards et al 2017), the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (2014), and the Europae Archaeologiae Consilium (EAC) Guidelines for the Use of Geophysics in Archaeology (Schmidt et al. 2016).

The work forms part of the Rediscovering Ancient Connections – The Saints project, which is a cross-border heritage and arts program. The program is 80% funded by the European Rural Development Fund and is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, with joint beneficiaries Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford.

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Archaeology Archive Reports

‘Discovering St Aidan’s Monastery’ Preliminary Archaeological Excavation Report December 2021

Archaeology

‘Discovering St Aidan’s Monastery’ Preliminary Archaeological Excavation Report December 2021

Download Excavation Report

Report Introduction

This interim report details the first season of excavations at Ferns Demesne townland in Ferns Co. Wexford by the Irish Archaeology Field School (IAFS), which took place in 2021 (specifically July-August). The site, located adjacent St Mary’s Abbey in Ferns Demesne, is in the private ownership of Mr Patrick Cousins and is a recorded monument (SMR WX015-003004-, WX015-003031-, WX015-003032-, WX015-003033-) protected under the National Monuments Acts. This site is a multi-period complex, originally founded by St Aidan c. the turn of the seventh century, which also contains early medieval crosses and cross slabs, a twelfth century Augustinian Abbey (St Mary’s Abbey, which is a listed National Monument), and a thirteenth century medieval cathedral (Edan’s Cathedral) within its wider confines.

The excavations were undertaken within the context of a larger research project, entitled Discovering Saint Aidan’s Monastery. This archaeological project is part-funded as part of a larger cross-border arts and heritage project linking North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford called Rediscovering Ancient Connections – The Saints (Ancient Connections). This cross-border project is intended to revive the ancient links between communities in Pembrokeshire and Wexford and hopes to motivate both communities to rediscover their shared heritage and trade knowledge, experience, and skills.

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Archaeology Archive Reports

Community Archaeology Excavation at Rosina Vallis/Hodnant Porthclais Caerbwdy, 2022

Archaeology

Community Archaeology Excavation at Rosina Vallis/Hodnant Porthclais Caerbwdy, 2022

Caerbwdy excavation
Download Excavation Report

Report Introduction

DigVentures was selected by the Ancient Connections project team to undertake a community-based archaeological research project at Rosina Vallis field, Hodnant Porthclais Caerbwdy (hereafter ‘the Site’), funded by the Rediscovering Ancient Connections project. This report details results of that fieldwork, with an account of the site archive, specialist analysis of finds and recommendations for project completion.

Fieldwork took place between the 7th and 29th of November 2022, investigating several potential archaeological features identified in a geophysical survey conducted at the site by DigVentures in November 2021. Following analysis of the geophysical results, targeted archaeological interventions were selected and located to understand if they related to early medieval monastic remains. Four trenches were excavated in Rosina Vallis field to establish dating sequences, evidence for structures and feature relationships, amongst other objectives.

The project was supported by a comprehensive learning, engagement and activity plan which aimed to both raise awareness of the site and provide tangible learning outcomes. Specially developed learning materials were used to deliver field school sessions, underpinned by a digital and audience building strategy, that aimed to engage the local community and a global audience in the project whilst being conscious of the sensitive location of the works.

This assessment report details the results of this fieldwork, providing baseline information to contribute to the future management, research and presentation of the site, creating multiple educational and participatory learning experiences for community participants.

Categories
Archaeology Archive Reports

‘Clone Community Excavation’ Archaeological Excavation Report November 2021

Archaeology

‘Clone Community Excavation’ Archaeological Excavation Report November 2021

Download Excavation Report

Report Introduction

The IAFS conducted excavations in the field surrounding Clone Church in December 2019 and August 2021. These excavations were undertaken under licence to the National Monuments Service (19E0766 and 19E0766 ext.) under the National Monuments Act 1930-2014. This report constitutes a final report for Cuttings 1 and 2 (Season 1) and a preliminary report for Cuttings 3 and 4 (Season 2) under the terms of that Act and includes the results of specialist analyses. The excavations aimed to investigate geophysical anomalies identified at surveys at the site (19R0238 and 21E219) in 2019 and 2021 (and previously identified at the site during a drone flyover in 2018). The excavations across both seasons consisted of four discreet cuttings – all of which were found to contain archaeology.

The excavation was undertaken in partnership with Clone Church Conservation Group (CCCG) and was a first step of a major new heritage initiative being jointly developed by the IAFS, Wexford County Council and the local community. This project includes an international field school, which commenced at St Mary’s Abbey, in nearby Ferns, in 2021. This project is partly funded as a part of Rediscovering Ancient Connections – The Saints initiative, a new cross-border arts and heritage project linking North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford.

Categories
Archive Arts Reports

David Begley Final report on Ancient Connections, Artist in Residency


Artist in Residence

David Begley - Final report on Ancient Connections artist residency

David headshot 2 2
Download Full Report

Research Summary

My research was extensive throughout this residency. It included foraging materials from hedgerows in Ferns to create a palette of medieval inks, developing techniques in using these, researching the history of medieval inks and manuscript making, illumination, quill making, reed pen making in order to make my own drawing tools and impart this knowledge to pupils of St Edan’s National School. I learned to carve spoons in the tradition of Welsh Cawl spoons by attending a private workshop with Welsh carver Osian Denman. I filmed and edited this experience, carved sycamore spoons, and used these in ink making:

 

 

I carried out in-depth research on traditional and contemporary horticultural practices in planning the preparation and maintenance of The Monk’s Garden at St Edan’s NS. I investigated the uses of wool fleece in compost production, erosion defence and water retention as a defence against drought, and used this successfully to feed and sustain the Garden while not being watered by school staff during holiday periods. Pupils of St Edan’s explained to me in detail the costs involved in shearing versus the selling price of clean, maggot-free wool. Researched and wrote about Lanolin.