This weekend we will be at the Elan Links Archaeology and History Festival, part of the CBA’s Festival of Archaeology. Do come along and have a chat, we love talking to people about the archaeology of the area.
Over the past 15 years we have spent over 30 weeks walking the Elan Estate and recording its archaeology.
Earthwork platform in the Elan Valley
Early on we carried out surveys of the areas to the north and northwest of the reservoirs for the RCAHMW as part of the Upland Survey scheme. After that we undertook further archaeological projects for the estate offering annual guided walks during Festival of Archaeology, and giving advice when asked. We helped with work at Cwm Elan mine, checking that the archaeology wasn’t damaged when repairs were carried out and monitored peat restoration near Claerwen.
In 2016 and 2017 we played our part in the development of what has become the Elan Links project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Since then, as part of Elan Links, we’ve carried out explored Maen Hir standing stone, Carn Ricet cairn and an earthwork enclosure at Lluest Abercathon. Now we are writing up what we found last year on the eastern and southern sides of the reservoirs, with lots of new sites and updates on those already recorded.