St Edeyrn’s, Cardiff
This housing development project to the north-east of Cardiff involved the construction of 1,020 new homes along with associated retail centre, two primary schools and community amenities; to be delivered in four phases. As the appointed archaeological contractors Red River Archaeology delivered the Phase 1 fieldwork during construction based on third party specifications and were appointed heritage consultants for Phases 2-4. For the later phases we were able to negotiate a revised programme of archaeological work with the planning authorities that was not only less onerous and more cost effective for the developer, but also undertaken well in advance of the main construction phase avoiding all unnecessary delays.
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The archaeological work undertaken in Phases 2-4 included geophysical survey, evaluation trenching which pinpointed the areas of archaeological interest for targeted open area excavation. Two important archaeological sites were recorded, the first was a late Iron Age – early Roman enclosure. This produced evidence for multiple phases of occupation and industrial use that lasted until the 2nd century. Industrial residues indicated the site had been a centre of iron smelting and smithing activity.
The range of pottery recovered also provided evidence for a rural low status settlement, however the concentrated finds of near intact Iron Age pottery vessels suggested the site may originally have had a more important character. The second of the sites excavated was a 2nd to 3rd century Roman shrine, that was located off the crest of the hill overlooking the Rhymney River and facing towards a known Roman road. This shrine took the form of a small enclosure that was square in plan. The evidence suggested that earthwork of this shrine had survived until the 13th century when it was remodelled to enclose a small rural industry.
The range of pottery recovered also provided evidence for a rural low status settlement, however the concentrated finds of near intact Iron Age pottery vessels suggested the site may originally have had a more important character. The second of the sites excavated was a 2nd to 3rd century Roman shrine, that was located off the crest of the hill overlooking the Rhymney River and facing towards a known Roman road. This shrine took the form of a small enclosure that was square in plan. The evidence suggested that earthwork of this shrine had survived until the 13th century when it was remodelled to enclose a small rural industry.