Tag: excavation

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Categories
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.