CBA Wales – CPAT Joint meeting
Bookings for this meeting open on 2 October. Bookings are made via Eventbrite and the booking form can be accessed by using the QR code shown in the image above or by clicking anywhere in that image.
CBA Wales AGM
The CBA-Wales AGM will take place 12:00 to 12:30 during the course of this Archaeology Day. Important aspects of the operation of CBA Wales, including the election of Committee members will take place. This is important and all members are encouraged to attend this AGM. Further details will be circulated to CBA Wales members prior to the meeting.
Schedule
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Staff, speakers and stall-holders arrival and set-up |
| 09:45 – 10:20 | General Admission Doors Open and Coffee |
| 10:20 – 10:30 | Welcome and Introductions: Dr. Paul Belford (CPAT) and Mike Greene (CBAW) |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Newtown Mound excavations: Ian Grant, CPAT |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Elan Links: Reviewing the Archaeological Record of the Elan ValleyTrysor |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch CBAW AGM will take place over lunch – all welcome |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | Early Mines in Wales: The investigations of the EMRG in Powys (1988 – 2021)Dr. Simon Timberlake |
| 13:30 – 14:15 | Of Hillforts and ‘Hammer Fighters’: Exploring the archaeology of Iron Age WalesDr. Toby Driver |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Coffee |
| 14:30 – 15:15 | Excavations of Bryneglwys Ring Cairn: Dr. Ian Brooks |
| 15:15 – 16:00 | Using architecture in the ritual processes of Neolithic burial: From a Welsh perspective: Dr. George Nash |
| 16:00 – 16:10 | Thank You and Close: Dr. Paul Belford and Mike Greene |
| 16:10 – 16:30 | Exhibits, questions and networking time |
Venue
Hafan yr Afon, Newtown, Powys
Open Newtown’s new community and visitor centre is located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, forming an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces. This family, disability and dog friendly space has a ground floor café and enjoys instant access to 130 acres of public green spaces to explore.
This facility provides people with a state-of-the-art sustainable venue for events and access to the river for leisure and riverside trails.
Location, Accessibility and Parking
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Hafan yr Afon is located adjacent to the Back Lane Car Park (SY16 2NH) just 1 minute away on foot. Alternately The Gravel Car Park (SY16 1AA) is an 8-minute walk. Both car parks have ample parking, are long stay and a standard charge of £4.00 applies for over 4 hours.
The main entrance at Hafan yr Afon offers lower-level access at ground level. Inside, there is a lift that can accommodate two persons maximum, operating from the ground floor to the first floor.
Toilets are located on the ground and first floors, with accessible toilets adjacent to the lecture room.
Refreshments and Lunch
We are offering tea, coffee and light refreshments throughout the day.
Lunch is not provided so we recommend that you bring your own or take advantage of the fantastic on-site café. A limited range of vegetarian, vegan and GF options are available, enquire directly for allergy information. Being situated in the centre of Newtown, there are also several locally owned independent businesses a stone’s throw away that you may wish to explore.
Organisations
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust
The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust was established in 1975 and its object is the ‘education of the public in archaeology’. CPAT is one of four Welsh Archaeological Trusts working closely with other national, regional and local bodies to help conserve, understand and promote all aspects of the historic environment in Wales.
The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust is committed to the highest standards in all areas of endeavour. We are founder members of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists‘ (CIfA) Registered Organisation scheme, which commits all of our staff to following the CIfA Code of Conduct and Standards and Guidance. Additionally, the work of the Historic Environment Advisory Services team is governed by a Code of Practice for provision of archaeological advice which applies to all of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts. We are proud of our reputation for undertaking high quality work which provides best value for the public – regardless of the nature of the work and how it is resourced.
The Council for British Archaeology Cymru/Wales
The Council for British Archaeology Wales is a registered charity that serves to promote interest in the historic environment of Wales and to bring together those interested in Welsh archaeology. It is one of twelve regional groups, covering the whole of Britain, under the auspices of the Council for British Archaeology. The objectives of CBA Wales are:
- To advance the study and practice of archaeology
- To promote the education of the public in such archaeology
- To conduct and/or communicate the results of relevant research
- To advance public understanding and care of the historic environments
- To address these objectives CBA Wales undertakes a range of activities including:
- organizing events and conferences, often in partnership with local societies
- promoting activities of societies through the Newsletter and the website
- providing guidance to available archaeological resources
CBA Wales also campaigns for the local heritage of Wales and supports local groups such as the Young Archaeologists Club and produces a Newsletter which appears in Spring and Autumn of each year and the annual journal Archaeology in Wales.
Royal Commission On The Ancient And Historical Monuments Of Wales
The Royal Commission is the investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales. It has a lead role in ensuring that Wales’ archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally. www.rcahmw.gov.uk
Early Mines Research Group
Whilst better known for its work in Ceredigion at Cwmystwyth, the Early Mines Research Group have carried out survey work and excavation across the Central Wales Orefield into Western Powys and the headwaters of the River Severn, near to Machynlleth, in the Berwyn Mountains, and recently at Llanymynech on the Welsh-English border. Most of these sites are associated with small near-surface outcrops of copper mineralisation, and many have been shown to have prehistoric origins, in some cases dating from the 2nd-3rd millennium BC, whist others are looking increasingly likely to have been first exploited for copper or lead during the Roman and Early Medieval periods – some of this evidence coming from the palaeopollution records of nearby ombrotrophic blanket peats, and from dated pollen/ geochemical profiles. The most recent archaeological work has been undertaken at the Llanymynech Ogof Copper Mine – a working long thought to be Roman, but which has turned out to have Late iron Age or earlier origins.
Trysor
Trysor is a heritage consultancy based in southwest Wales but working across Wales and beyond. Founded in 2004 by Jenny Hall and Paul Sambrook, it now provides a range of archaeological and heritage services to a variety of clients.
Both partners are qualified and experienced archaeologists with an excellent knowledge of the historic environment and cultural heritage. Trysor is a Registered Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and often works alongside specialist associates and services to deliver quality work.
Clwydian Range Archaeology Group
The Clwydian Range Archaeology Group (CRAG) is an independent voluntary association comprised of individuals who wish to research, share and disseminate information about the history of the Clwydian Range – an area of outstanding natural beauty. The group was founded in 2011 to carry out, in a practical way, research, survey work and excavation on the Clwydian Hills under the supervision of professional archaeologists.
CRAG aims to develop wider participation in archaeological fieldwork while at the same time increasing understanding of the history of the area. To support this, the Group aims to ensure that appropriate high-quality training in archaeological field techniques is provided to all participants. The Group also aims to encourage the use of archaeology as a vehicle to deliver training in other skills.
Speakers
Dr. George Nash – Archaeologist & specialist in Prehistoric and Contemporary art and Convener of the Welsh Rock art Organisation
Dr George Nash is an Associate Professor at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and an Honorary Researcher within the Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool. Dr Nash has directed excavations in Westminster Hall, the Palace of Westminster (London), the Neolithic burial-ritual monuments of La Hougue Bie and Delancey Park in the Channel Islands, Arthur’s Stone (Herefordshire), Perthi Duon (Ynys Môn), and Trefael (Pembrokeshire). Dr Nash, working with the First Art Team has also undertaken geochemical analysis at Cathole Cave and is currently undertaking fieldwork at Bacon Hole in South Wales. Other previous fieldwork includes co-directing one of Britain’s largest dendrochronology projects – The Tilley Timber Project between 2014-18. In 2021-23, Dr Nash was involved in geochemistry sampling in caves in Northern Israel, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and UAE. Between 2015 and 2019, Dr Nash directed excavations at the Neolithic burial site of Trellyffaint (Pembrokeshire), the results of which have been recently published.
Ian Grant – Senior Archaeologist, CPAT
Ian has worked for CPAT for over 15 years, having previously worked for a variety of archaeological organisations in both England and Wales. Ian is primarily responsible for the delivery and management of commercial field projects and has an excellent track record of handling large and complex infrastructure projects such as mineral extraction and road schemes. Ian has also managed a series of Cadw-funded projects, most recently focussing on Offa’s and Wat’s Dykes and on high-status defended sites in north-east Wales. With a passion for communicating the past, Ian gives regular talks about CPAT’s work and is also a leading member of a medieval re-enactment group who work all over the UK.
Dr. Simon Timberlake – Early Mines Research Group
After a career working as a geologist and curator in museums, Simon became a field archaeologist/ researcher with the Cambridge Archaeological Unit in 2006, and from 2017 a freelance archaeomaterials specialist until retirement in 2022. He has been director of the Early Mines Research Group and involved in archaeological projects in Wales and England for more than 30 years, the majority of these projects involving the investigation of prehistoric as well as historic mining and smelting. Amongst the best known of the archaeological excavations conducted have been those undertaken at Cwmystwyth in mid-Wales (between 1986-2022), at Alderley Edge in Cheshire (1997-1999) and at Ecton in Staffordshire (2008-2012). Research postings included those at Bangor, Manchester and Coventry Universities – all on early mining-related research projects funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Subsequent collaborations include those with the Deutsches Bergbau Museum, Bochum on experimentation into ancient mining and processing in Georgia (gold) and on the Mitterberg, Austria (copper). A common research theme in Wales has been work carried out with colleagues to identify the palaeo-environmental records of metal mining preserved within both upland and lowland peat bog archives. Alongside this archaeological work has been the practical investigation of ancient technologies, including the smelting of copper, tin and lead in primitive furnaces. The publication of this work includes more than 50 papers and two books on early mining related subjects.
Jenny Hall and Paul Sambrook – Trysor
After graduating in Archaeology and Geology (BSc Joint Hons) from Birmingham University in 1984, Jenny spent 8 years working on archaeological projects across England and Scotland. These included large-scale excavations, such as Stanwick Roman Villa and Sandwell Priory, and post-excavation work. In 1992 she migrated to Wales, started a family and, from 1993, worked for the Dyfed Archaeological Trust as the Sites & Monuments Record Officer.
In 2004 Jenny moved on to set up Trysor with Paul Sambrook. Since then they have been able to work on a wide variety of projects. These include many community-focused projects, alongside traditional archaeological work such as Upland Survey, desk-based assessments, watching briefs and archaeological evaluations.
Paul graduated in Archaeology and Welsh (BA Joint Hons) from St. David’s University College, Lampeter in 1986. In 1993 he obtained a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Trinity College, Carmarthen. After graduating he worked as a field surveyor with the Ceredigion Archaeological Survey and was a site assistant and Education Officer at Castell Henllys, the reconstructed Iron Age hillfort managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
From 1994 until 2004 Paul was a Project Officer with the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, involved in projects in southwest and mid-Wales, including the Deserted Rural Settlement Project, Metal Mines, Uplands Initiative surveying, the Tir Gofal agri-environmental project.
Since starting Trysor with Jenny Hall in 2004, he has been able to further develop his fieldwork skills, particularly through large-scale Upland Surveys across Wales, and also worked on a large number of desk-based assessments, watching briefs and evaluations.
Dr. Ian Brooks – Clwydian Archaeology Group, Project Archaeologist
Ian Brooks has been an archaeological contractor/consultant, based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, for thirty years. Whilst the work requires him to be a generalist he has a particular interest in lithic artefacts, particularly flint and chert which were the subject of his PhD research. In normal life he carries out a range of commercial projects, although he has also been advising the Clwydian Range Archaeology Group on their excavations since 2017.
He is also a Member of the Institute for Archaeologists and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
Dr. Toby Driver – Royal Commission on the Ancient Historic Monuments of Wales and Author of Hillforts of Iron-Age Wales
Dr Toby Driver FSA specialises in the prehistoric and Roman archaeology of Wales and works as a Senior Investigator (Aerial Survey) with the Royal Commission, Wales. He was one of the archaeologists on the six-year EU-funded Ireland-Wales CHERISH project which finished in June 2023, examining climate change and coastal heritage in Wales and Ireland, and carried out a number of archaeological aerial surveys in Ireland. He is the author of several books on Welsh archaeology including ‘The Hillforts of Iron Age Wales’ (Logaston Press 2023) and is the current Chair of the Later Bronze and Iron Age Research Framework for Wales. He is a Trustee of the Cambrian Archaeological Association and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
