Community Archaeology Training Placements

Do you want to develop your career in archaeology?

Are you interested in working directly with a wide range of communities?

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is offering 10 twelve month paid bursary places with different host organisations across the UK, aimed at training individuals who already have a good working knowledge of archaeological theory and practice in the skills needed to run and support effective community archaeology projects.

The bursaries are funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme, with support from English Heritage, Cadw and Historic Scotland.

Placements will start in April 2012 and successful candidates will receive a salaried bursary of approx £16,450 (see individual job descriptions for further details).

There are five Welsh host organisations and locations:

• Cadw (Cardiff)

• Dyfed Archaeological Trust (Llandeilo)

• Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (Swansea)

• Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (Bangor)

• Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (Aberystwyth)

For complete details of these posts please visit www.britarch.ac.uk/community/bursaries/2012, or visit the host organisation websites.

Application closing date: Friday 20^th January

LLEOLIADAU HYFFORDDI ARCHAEOLEG GYMUNEDOL

Mae Cyngor Archaeoleg Prydain (CBA) yn hysbysebu deg bwrsari hyfforddi am 12 mis mewn archaeoleg gymunedol, gyda chymorth y Loteri Genedlaethol drwy Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri, a thrwy gymorth ychwanegol yng Nghymru gan Cadw ac Ymddiriedolaethau Archaeolegol Cymru.

Mae pump sefydliad a lleoliad yn cynnig lle yng Nghymru:

• Cadw (Caerdydd)
• Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Dyfed (Llandeilo)
• Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Morgannwg-Gwent (Abertawe)
• Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Gwynedd (Bangor)

• Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru (Aberystwyth)

Bwrsari: Gweler disgrifiadau’r swyddi unigol

I gael manylion llawn y swyddi hyn, ewch i www.britarch.ac.uk/community/bursaries/2012, neu edrychwch ar wefannau’r sefydliadau sy’n cynnig y lleoedd.

Y dyddiad cau i wneud cais: dydd Gwener 20 Ionawr

Dyddiadau’r cyfweliadau: Gweler y pecynnau ymgeisio unigol.

GGAT at the Senedd Heritage Lottery Fund Showcase

Natasha explaining the Clyne Valley Community Project to Dame Jenny Abramsky

A view of the attendees of the Senedd listening to one of the speeches

On Wednesday 7th December GGAT attended the Senedd as part of the HLF Wales projects representation. The evening was a showcase for all the recent projects that have been funded by the HLF. GGAT formed part of the HLF Skills for the Future stand with their current Community Archaeology Training Placement holder Natasha Scullion and a collection of posters specially designed to promote some of the community projects that have been undertaken so far, in particular the project running at present on the Clyne Valley.

All four Welsh CATP bursary holders were in attendance representing GGAT, Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and Cadw. They explained their roles and projects to the other attendees including Dame Jenny Abramsky chair of the UK HLF who was keen to hear about what the placements had achieved so far.

The evening was a great success with the stand having constant visitors, all interested in what the CATP bursaries were all about and what projects they were working on.

GGAT return to the Roman fort at Neath

Just when we thought it was all over GGAT have had to return to the Roman fort at Neath in order to extend the excavated area. It was discovered that the size of the building footprint as originally calculated proved inadequate for the new teaching block at Dwr-y-felin school. Although we only excavated a narrow strip around last year’s area, it provided us with lots of new information.

On one side of the new building, we have been able to see that the original clay structure of the rampart had been removed over the stone toe at the front to be replaced by a timber revetment made from two-inch planks. At the back of the rampart, the new revetment was formed from blocks of turf that had been stepped back so that the rampart was widest at the base. The new part of the via sagularis to be revealed had had pits dug into it. On the other side of the new building the new work revealed a T-junction, where the via sagularis, which here had drains on both sides, was joined by another road, which had the beam slots for timber buildings on either side. These probably represent the barrack blocks of the earliest fort.

 

Introduction to Graveyard Investigation

Over the last few days GGAT has been involved with running a introduction to graveyard recording course focusing on the different eras of design and architecture of monuments and headstones and the individual significance of various iconographies that are used.

Approached by Adventa GGAT put together and delivered 5 days of 1-day introduction training courses, originally only 3 had been booked however, due to popular demand it was extended to a 5 day run!

The first half of the day comprising of a presentation and discussion followed by explanation of the recording forms and processes. After lunch we then headed out for some ‘hands on’ practice heading to the local churchyards and cemeteries to see the evidence of what had been discussed and the aspects of recording and research that can be done.

Graveyards are real snapshots of community life and if viewed closely enough can reveal details and stories that might never otherwise come to life however they are a finite resource, without active attempts to record the information details of family history will be lost that may not be recorded anywhere else.

The days were hugely successful with most people coming away with new knowledge, keen to put in to practice what they had learned about, the general consensus being ‘I’ll never look at a graveyard the same way again!’

Excavations at the former Ynysfach Ironworks, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd are working closely with Merthyr Tydfil College, Davis Langdon and Interserve Construction to investigate elements of the former Ynysfach Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil, before the construction of a new College building. So far we have discovered the southern engine and boiler houses, a small section of walling belonging to the southern casting house, the eastern wall of the refinery building and remains of five of the refinery furnaces themselves.

Although a foundry is thought to have existed on the site prior to the 19th century, the ironworks that we see preserved in the furnace banks today were built in 1801 for Richard Crawshay by Thomas Jones of Merthyr Tydfil, to the designs of the celebrated local engineer Watkin George. Initially, the ironworks had two furnaces, which were large for the period (53ft in height) and were only the second furnaces in Merthyr Tydfil to have steam-powered air blast capability. As a consequence output was more regular, producing between 65 and 70 tons a week compared to the water-wheel powered ironworks at Cyfarthfa, which could only produce 45 to 62 tons of iron per week.

 Ynysfach was expanded in the 1830s with the construction of two more blast furnaces, a new, southern, engine house and reconstruction of the earlier, northern, engine house; much of the refinery building being excavated probably dates to this period.

 Ynysfach Ironworks closed during the strike of 1873 and by 1884, when Cyfarthfa was converted to a steel production plant, the Ynysfach furnaces were reconditioned and held in reserve in case of a renewed demand for iron. Ynysfach, however, does not appear to have resumed production after this date, and by 1905 was in a derelict condition. The southern engine house was demolished sometime after 1905 and one chimney stack (belonging to the northern boiler house) was demolished in December 1949 because it was in danger of collapsing.

 Currently, the team of archaeologists are uncovering the refinery building and they are exposing exciting elements of the early industrial iron process. Tim Young (Geoarch), an expert in industrial furnaces and smelting, has indicated that the remains discovered so far are starting to illuminate the “Welsh process of converting grey cast iron into wrought iron, first developed in Merthyr Tydfil in the 1790s”. It would appear that the Ynysfach Ironworks were purpose built by Richard Crawshay for this new process.

Rowena Hart, our site director, give a talk to Roy Noble about the excavations on BBC Radio Wales on Friday 14th October. Listen to the broadcast

Special thanks go to Alan George (Old Merthyr Tydfil) for kindly providing some of the images.

 

Learning Landscapes Open Day

If you’re out and about in Blaenavon this afternoon why not pop in to the World Heritage Centre and learn all about the Forgotten Landscape Project and the free courses on offer at the end of September.

Exploring your Heritage – A community archaeological toolkit

Starting on the 29^th September GGAT will be running a free community workshop at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre.

This course is set out to encourage and promote the appreciation of the rich and diverse heritage of Blaenavon World Heritage Landscape and to provide a toolkit of skills so that members can take ownership of their local heritage and historic environment and have a hand in maintaining historic sites for present and future generations.

The course runs over 10 weeks and covers such topics as:

• What’s in my area?  Learn about the rich and diverse archaeological resource in the Blaenavon World Heritage area.

• Landscape Detective Understand the evolution of landscape, find out how maps are used in archaeology and historic landscape studies. Have a go at interpretation of cartographic information plotting information onto base maps and storing results on a electronic database.

• Community Archaeology Show and Tell Create new historical records through shared memories, personal histories, old photographs and sketches.

• The Way of the Archaeologist Learn basic archaeological recording methods through a practical hands-on workshop led by a recording specialist. Produce a visual record of an archaeological site, comprised of a brief written statement, photographs along-side measured drawings.

For more information or to enrol please contact the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust on 01792 655208 or enquiries@ggat.org.uk

 

Forgotten Landscapes

During the afternoon of Saturday 10th September I will be giving a short talk on the Historic Landscape of Blaenavon at the Learning Landscape Open Day at the World Heritage Centre in Blaenavon. I will be (trying) explaining the Welsh methodology for characterising the  historic landscape, giving a rapid tour through the 21 historic character areas that make up the historic  landscape of Blaenavon and describing how the methodology of the Assessment of the Significance of the Impact of Development on Historic Landscapes (ASIDHOL) can be used to show what is an appropriate development in a Registered Historic Landscape.

LEARNING LANDSCAPES OPEN DAY – New courses available in the World Heritage Site

Ever wanted to learn more about the history, archaeology or wildlife of the Blaenavon area then this is your chance!

Come along to Blaenavon World Heritage Centre on Saturday 10^th September to find out more about the brand new courses on offer in the World Heritage Site.

Tutors will be available from 1pm to 5pm to discuss the exciting new learning opportunities available. There will also be a series of guided walks, talks and workshops throughout the afternoon.

This open day marks the launch of the new courses, which will start later this month. The courses have been developed by the Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning at University of Wales Newport and the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust.

The courses form part of the Forgotten Landscapes Project and are possible thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Forgotten Landscapes Education Officer, Ceri Cadwallader said ‘Blaenavon Industrial Landscape has been recognised for its outstanding universal value through designation as a World Heritage Site. We are delighted to be able to offer these courses, and hope they will allow more people to see just how rich this landscape is, both in history and wildlife.’

All Open Day activities free with no booking necessary. For more information please go to www.visitblaenavon.co.uk or contact University of Wales Newport on 01633 432432 or uicenquiries@newport.ac.uk

Courses

Changing Landscape

The story of the landscape and wildlife of the World Heritage Site, from degradation to conservation. Discover how the relationship between man and the environment has changed with time and find out how this landscape is being managed today. Course starts Tuesday 27th Sept 7–9 pm

People’s History

Are you interested in the people’s history of Blaenavon? Do you want to know how to make sense of the ‘stuff’ that has been left behind? Join this hands-on course and learn how to investigate local history through the objects that were once used in the everyday life of past residents.  Course starts Wednesday 28th Sept 7–9 pm.

Exploring your Heritage – A Community Archaeological Toolkit

This course is set out to encourage and promote the appreciation of the rich and diverse heritage of Blaenavon World Heritage Landscape and to provide a toolkit of skills so that members can take ownership of their local heritage and historic environment and have a hand in maintaining historic sites for present and future generations.  Learn how to investigate the archaeology of sites, create new historical records, look after and take responsibility for your local heritage, present your findings to your community.  Course Starts Thursday 29th Sept 7 – 9pm.

GGAT help to promote events for ‘Open Church Day 2011′

Open Church Day this year is Saturday 17th September, and you can find details of participating churches in the downloadable leaflets on our website. However, please look carefully at details of opening times for each church, as some churches have found it more convenient to open on a different day of the month. The leaflets include those churches that advertised their participation by the end of August, but you may find some late entries at the Churches Tourism Network Wales website and the Civic Trust for Wales site.