Image by By Duncan and Gareth Alderson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Council for British Archaeology Wales / Cyngor Archaeoleg Bryndeinig Cymru – Autumn Meeting October 3rd October 2026
This year’s Autumn Meeting will commence in Senghennydd, near Caerphilly in South Wales. Senghennydd is known for Britain’s worst mining disaster when on 14th October 1913 a gas explosion at the Universal Colliery killed 439 men and boys. Because of this disaster the Welsh National and Universal Disaster Memorial Garden was opened by Charles III, the then Prince of Wales, in October 2013, marking the 100th anniversary of the disaster. This disaster followed the previous disaster of May 1901 when 81 were killed. This must be seen in the context that the village of Senghennydd had been built in the 1890’s, which had not been completed in 1913. Prior to that, it was a rural valley of hill farms.
Mynydd Eglwysilan forms an inverted ‘U’ of a mountain surrounding and defining the Aber Valley in which Senghennydd lies. Being above the urbanisation and industrialisation of the Valleys it still preserves some aspects of its prehistoric, Roman and mediaeval archaeology.
From the prospect of the mountain, the geographical context of the archaeology can be appreciated.
Itinerary for Saturday, 3rd October 2026
10:00am
Meet at the Aber Valley Heritage Centre, Gwern Avenue, Senghennydd, CF83 4HA. There is no designated parking; however, on street parking should not be a problem as there few parking restrictions in the village. Introduction and a chance to look at the museum.
11:00am
Walk from the Heritage Centre to the Welsh National and Universal Disaster Memorial Garden.
11:30am
From here we will ascend Mynydd Eglwysilan via the Heritage path passing behind and above the Universal Colliery Site. The ascent will be relatively steep and a little uneven. This will bring us to the western side of the mountain and the high moor.
1:00pm
Allowing for a break, lunch is anticipated to be about 1pm, although this does not have to be precise. I anticipate lunch to be at the cup marked rock art, which is at the head of the Valley. At this point, depending on the weather and stamina, anyone wishing to return to the Village may do so at this point, while the remainder can continue to the eastern side of the mountain following the Senghennydd Dyke toward the line of the Roman road.
4:00pm
The plan is to complete the tour by this time and make our way back to the Village, although times will be flexible.
Please allow for wet weather and uneven wet conditions, as once on the mountain we will be exposed. In addition, bring a packed lunch and a hot drink.
I look forward to seeing you on my home ground.
Michael Greene
Cadeirydd, Cyngor Archaeoleg Bryndeinig Cymru
Chair, Council for British Archaeology Wales
