Twmbarlwm Archaeological Investigation
A major function of Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society – as stated in our constitution – is to “Research” the history of the scheduled monument at the top of the mountain that gives the ridge its distinctive and iconic silhouette.
Since 2018 Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society have used the services of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) under the guidance and funding of the Welsh Government’s Heritage department, Cadw.
Below is a series of links to the various Blogs, Galleries and Research Papers that we have acquired during the various stages of our research.
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The following is an extract from the document that initiated the current archaeological investigation in June 2019
Twmbarlwm Mound and Bailey Castle (MM044)
- Twmbarlwm is a scheduled monument (MM044), comprising a large, conical, flat topped mound occupying the eastern end of a large but simple oval defended enclosure of unknown date containing several internal features including an area of cultivation, a possible cairn and some undated stone structures adjacent to the enclosure bank.
- Formerly in Gwent it now falls within Caerphilly County Borough Council and belongs to the Llanarth Estate. It forms grazing land and it is also Open Access Land as defined by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
- The mound is presumed by Cadw and most authorities to be a medieval motte although this has never been conclusively proven by excavation. Unsubstantiated antiquarian theories range from a barrow of various dates to a ‘British’ encampment and Roman beacon. The enclosure is normally interpreted as a hillfort of presumed Iron Age date, possibly re-used or started anew as an unfinished bailey to the mound.
- On the inner lip of the motte ditch is a small, disturbed cairn, believed to be of Prehistoric date and revealed very clearly by the fires of 2018. There is a small pond or spring towards the centre of the northern side of the enclosure, also affected by the fire. The fires of 2018 have exposed several other internal features comprising partly embanked rings of stone on the rear slope of the enclosure banks, tentatively interpreted as hut sites.
- In 2018 the Cwmdeithas Twmbarlwm Society (CTS) commissioned a detailed UAV (drone) survey of the monument as part of a scheme of investigative works – many of the resulting images can be accessed on the Society’s website.
Conservation History
- In the summer of 2018 successive wildfires swept across the ridge and adjacent forested slopes causing catastrophic damage to almost 2/3 of the monument and large areas of the adjacent forestry and ridge top.
- CTS and Cadw split the costs of an attempt to reseed the hill with a native seed mix approved by Caerphilly CBC’s previous ecologist. Unfortunately the unavoidable Autumn timing of this exercise was not ideal and the following week saw storms and torrential rain which washed much of the seed away from many of the steeper slopes.
- Since then regeneration has been partial, the more sheltered areas in ditches and the lee of slopes faring better than exposed banks, the fine dusted surfaces of which have been subject to animal and human footfall and a miniature dune-like effect on the surface created by eddying wind. Rain is causing deep gullies to develop on the fire exposed sides of the mound.
Archaeology:
- The damage caused by the fire has offered an opportunity to undertake archaeological investigations.
- Cadw and CTS prepared a detailed plan for archaeological investigations (topographic survey, geophysics, pollen coring, volunteer excavation) and outreach programme. The aims of this are as follows:
- To assess the extent of damage caused by the fires to the earthworks, archaeological deposits and the turf layer / plant roots. This will help to inform the subsequent methodology for conservation works.
- To enhance our understanding of the archaeology of the monument; the relationships between the different features, their form and date and the contemporary environment of the site and adjacent ridge.
- To raise the public profile of the monument through the associated outreach programme, including: excavation volunteers, site tours, school visits, evening talks, online diaries and social media.
- To provide better, integrated interpretation covering both the historic and natural environments.
Conservation:
- The archaeological works should precede and to some degree inform a programme of grassland conservation, including:
- Immediate measures to stabilise the monument.
- The long term reestablishment of appropriate native vegetation cover
- The reduction of the volume of combustible dead vegetation on the monument.
- The development of an appropriate grazing regime and improved visitor management measures to enable vegetation to re-establish itself.
- Opportunities for outreach and volunteering and other public engagement.
Statutory consents.
- Llanarth Estate and the Graziers have given permission for the proposd excavations and in principle to conservation works, subject to the development of a final scheme. Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) consent has been obtained from Cadw.
Funding and potential partners:
- As noted above Cadw views Twmbarlwm as a potential major and high profile project, and are committed to funding the archaeological investigations and in principle can contribute to the conservation works on the monument. It is hoped that other partners (Caerphilly CBC, NRW, HLF?) will also be able to contribute and provide match funding in the future.
Benefits:
- A better understood monument.
- A conserved and sustainably managed monument and hilltop.
- A more robust and better interpreted public amenity.
- The provision of a broad range of stimulating volunteer, skills training and educational activities for a cross section of local communities and with great potential to enhance physical and mental health. This will demonstrate a commitment by partners to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales).
- Improved public awareness and sense of ownership of the monument. The opportunity for forge links between individuals, communities and interest groups on all sides of the mountain.
- The establishment of best practice conservation measures for wildfires on monuments and upland environments.
- Organisational prestige.
- The potential to unlock further funding and resources for this and similar projects.
Will Davies
Inspector of Ancient Momuments (East Wales)
Cadw