Latest news with #TrelaiPark
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
New ancient discovery unearthed at popular dog walking spot
Volunteer archaeologists uncovered a Bronze Age burial site at Trelai Park in Cardiff, Wales. Human remains, believed to be cremations from the Bronze Age, were found in three pits during an archaeological dig. The cremations were discovered next to a 1500 BC roundhouse previously found at the site. Experts suggest the proximity of the remains indicates the site held significant ceremonial importance or was a burial ground for cherished family members. The discovery highlights the rich history of Trelai Park, suggesting it has been an important location for thousands of years.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Volunteers uncover ‘hugely exciting' burial site underneath Welsh park
Volunteer archaeologists have uncovered a Bronze Age burial site underneath a popular park in Wales. A number of pits were discovered during an archaeological dig at Trelai Park in Cardiff, with a small amount of human remains being found in three of them. The cremations are believed to date back to the Bronze Age, and were found next to a 1500 BC roundhouse that was found at the site two years ago. Experts believe the closeness of the remains suggests the site held 'significance' to those who lived there at the time, and that cherished family members may have been buried there. Volunteers for the Caerau and Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage Project are now working to piece together the significance of the latest finds, which suggest the site could be more expansive than previously thought. 'The discovery of these cremations is hugely exciting and is yet another example of the rich history that lies so well preserved under Trelai Park,' CAER co-director Dr Oliver Davis, head of archaeology and conservation at the University of Cardiff, which is a partner in the project, said. 'The fact that the cremations have been buried so close to the roundhouse suggests they may have been laid there to remember cherished family members. It could also mean the site held a ceremonial significance to people at the time.' He added: 'This area, which we already knew was only 200 metres away from a Roman Villa, has clearly been an important place over thousands of years. It's providing us with a window onto some of the very earliest Cardiff residents who were living here in Caerau and Ely over three millennia ago. 'The work now begins to carefully dig through each layer, sifting through the materials we are finding here on an hourly basis. It's a real team effort.' Trelai Park is a well-used location for sports teams and dog walkers. It is half a mile from Caerau Hillfort, a heritage site of national significance where Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman and medieval finds have previously been discovered. Alice Clarke, 36, who lives in Caerau, has been volunteering with the CAER Project for five years and said: 'It's really fascinating. We've found a lot of quartz here so far. I will also work at the CAER Heritage Centre after the dig, cleaning all the finds that come in big bags. I love doing it. It's given me confidence – it's nice to get out and meet friends.' Another of the volunteers, 19-year-old Hannah Secker, has just finished her A Levels and wants to study archaeology and ancient history at degree level. She said: 'There is quite an exciting atmosphere here and everyone has been so welcoming. I had no archaeological experience before coming here, and it's been great to speak to students about their degrees. It's unbelievable finding artefacts that could be 3,000 years old and thinking about the people that have walked on this ground before us.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Cardiff's Trelai Park excavation discovers Bronze Age burial site
An archaeological dig has uncovered an ancient burial ground underneath popular playing fields in Cardiff. Volunteers at a heritage project excavation said they found a number of pits at Trelai Park near Caerau Hillfort, with at least three holding a small amount of cremated human remains. The remains, which date back to the Bronze Age, were found next to a roundhouse previously discovered by the project which was said to potentially be the earliest house found in Oliver Davis, Caerau and Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage Project co-director, said the discovery was "hugely exciting" and provided a window into the lives of Cardiff residents from over 3,000 years ago. "The fact that the cremations have been buried so close to the roundhouse suggests they may have been laid there to remember cherished family members," he said."It could also mean the site held a ceremonial significance to people at the time." The fourth phase of the project's archaeological investigation also discovered a new structure next to the roundhouse previously found. It was next to the foundations of this smaller building where the pits were located, along with evidence of a timber circle further down which experts believe may date to the Early Bronze Age around 2000-1600 are now working to piece together the significance of the latest finds, which suggest the site could be more expansive than previously Davis said: "The smaller structure we have found sits very near to the original roundhouses we discovered in 2023, these structures were luxurious and spacious."He added the smaller structure could be an additional house for another family, or maybe an ancillary building used for preparing food and craft-working. Trelai Park is a well-used location for sports teams and dog walkers and is half a mile from Caerau Hillfort, a heritage site of national significance. Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman and medieval finds have all previously been discovered by archaeologists at the site. Dr Davis said the area, which was only 650 ft (200m) away from a Roman Villa, had been an important place over thousands of years. "It's providing us with a window onto some of the very earliest Cardiff residents who were living here in Caerau and Ely over three millennia ago," he said. "The work now begins to carefully dig through each layer, sifting through the materials we are finding here on an hourly basis. It's a real team effort." Volunteer Hannah Secker, 19, from Grangetown, has finished her A Levels and wants to study archaeology and ancient history at degree said: "It's unbelievable finding artefacts that could be 3,000 years old and thinking about the people that have walked on this ground before us."Dan Queally is due to graduate from Cardiff University with a BA in archaeology and chose to do his dissertation on the CAER project. "It's not just about the archaeology that I've learned about, it's about seeing the difference a project like this can make to people here and now," he said. "It's been a big perspective shift for me." According to Dr David Wyatt, CAER co-director, the finds from Trelai Park "just keep coming". "It's not difficult to argue that Trelai could be one of the most important parks for heritage in south Wales," he said. "It really has all the potential to be a popular and thriving tourist attraction which could hugely benefit the local communities."Mike Tate, headteacher of Cardiff West Community High School metres away from the site, said the school saw real value in its links to the project. "Our pupils learn about the history of the area in which they live and they, literally, get their hands on the past."
