Black Mountains Archaeology Ltd

Great to hear this clean energy project is underway! We supported Hydrock, now Stantec and Rhondda Cynon Taff with an archaeological desk-based assessment and visual impact assessment for the scheme. We established that the solar farm would have no direct impact on any heritage assets. We wish Vital Energi Utilities Limited all the best with the development.

We’re working with National Grid who are installing EV charging systems near the Roman Amphitheater in Caerleon. We are monitoring the excavations and recording any archaeological discoveries. So far we’ve found lots Roman pottery and possibly the very small and truncated remnants of a Roman road, which would have headed west out from the fortress to the docks on the River Usk. Built around 75 AD the fortress at Caerleon was a strategic stronghold for the Legio II Augusta, one of Rome’s most formidable legions. Perched on the banks of the River Usk, Isca served as a crucial outpost to control the tribes of Wales. The fortress was a self-contained city, complete with barracks, granaries, bathhouses, and a sophisticated drainage system. A short walk from the fortress is a striking elliptical arena that once seated up to 6,000 spectators. Dubbed the “Stonehenge of the Romans” by Geoffrey of Monmouth, it became entwined with Arthurian legend, rumored to be the site of King Arthur’s Round Table. But for the Romans, it was a stage for grand spectacles: gladiatorial combats, military drills, and public executions. #archaeology #roman

Thrilled to be part of this project 🙂

We sprent a rather lovely, and hot 🥵, day yesterday surveying the remains of Morris Castle (SMGm371) for City & County of Swansea and Mann Williams Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers. The purpose of the survey was to produce a 3D photogrammetric model, or #digitaltwin, to aid with conservation efforts to preserve the monument. Morris Castle was erected around 1770 by the industrialist John Morris. Possibly intended as a folly sat on the top of Cnap Llwyd, the building formed four interconnected tower blocks situated around a central courtyard. Each tower block had four floors providing accommodation in separate flats for workers and families employed by John Morris. The building is important as it is one of the first tenement tower blocks for workers to have been built in Wales. #archaeology #industrial #3d #drone #photogrammetry #swansea #copper

Wishing Penderyn Distillery a very happy birthday for the award winning Hafod-Morfa Copperworks distillery project, 1yr today! How the site has changed! Amazing repurposing of historic buildings by City & County of Swansea and GWP Architecture saving them for the future. Here’s the site as it was when we had just completed our excavations. We made some very significant discoveries and it has been a privilege to be involved in the project. You can see some of the discoveries here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehD8Hp_G #industrial #archaeology #photogrammetry #3d

Nice to be working close to home, near the castle in Crickhowell today! Alisby’s Castle (SMBr111) was founded by the Turberville family. Sir Grimbald Paunceforte then obtained the castle in the 13th century. Accounts trace the name ‘Alisby’ to the early 14th century, specifically to Gerard de Allspeye who was granted ownership of the castle by the Marcher Lord Roger Mortimer. During the late 13th and early 14th centuries the castle was re-fortified with stone and was effectively replaced by a shell keep. The castle was garrisoned and subsequently fortified again in the early 15th century by command of Henry IV in response to the threat from Owain Glyndŵr but fell into disrepair not long afterwards. #archaeology #medieval #castles

Very challenging 3D photogrammetric survey completed on Llangybi (Tregrug) Castle, Monmouthshire for #Cadw and #LlangibbyEstate with ArchaeoDomus Archaeological & Heritage Services. Llangybi Castle was founded by the Norman de Clare family, probably Bogo de Clare (1248-94), in the 13th century. Initially a Motte and Bailey, this was later replaced in stone (nearby) in the 14th century by Gilbert de Clare (1291-1314) but with much of the building carried out under Gibert’s widow Maltida (Maud) and sister (heiress) Elizabeth de Burgh. Reconstructed drawings by Paul R Davies from the Forgotten Castles of Wales and the Marches book. #medieval #archaeology #castles #photogrammetry

Really pleased to see that our community archaeological investigations at the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks has made the Association for Industrial Archaeology Industrial Archaeology Review! A collaboration with Swansea University, City & County of Swansea and Friends of Hafod Morfa Copperworks. Many thanks to all involved but special mention to Alexander Langlands BA MA PhD FHEA FSA of Swansea University and the The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making the project possible and Rhys Morgan for taking the lead with the article. This community project formed a part of the much wider regeneration of the former copper working site, with the Powerhouse now refurbished for Penderyn Distillery whisky and the Musgrave and Vivian Engine Houses undergoing conservation. 👇 Rediscovering Copperopolis: The Hafod Plate Rolling Mill, Swansea: https://lnkd.in/emKpnfm7

Epic project and very challenging. Deeply stratified and complex industrial archaeology, often fragmented remains of multiple phases of development. Some stand out discoveries of national importance. Fantastic interdisciplinary team working together to deliver something that is frankly brilliant, an example of the conservation and repurposing of one of our most important industrial heritage sites. Thrilled to have played a small part in this project Black Mountains Archaeology Ltd

🔊 Project Update: Vivian and Musgrave Engine House Archaeological Findings Whilst working on our recent project for City & County of Swansea, we came across some exciting archaeological findings at Vivian and Musgrave Engine House: ▪️ A drive shaft and belt wheel from the 1819 rolling mill ▪️ The original poured-concrete machine base for the Musgrave rolls ▪️ Early masonry structures display the site’s initial architecture and provide insights into continuous furnaces, hearth features, and industrial processes ▪️ Annealing furnaces for copper bolts ▪️ Primary furnaces to the 1819 no.1 engine with an advanced heating system These discoveries shed light on the industrial processes and infrastructure at Hafod Copperworks, highlighting the historical importance of Musgrave and Vivian Engine Houses. The completed and approved archaeological report will be shared with the regional Historic Environment Record and National Monuments Record of Wales for inclusion in public records. We were able to make these discoveries through the project’s funding partners, Powered by Levelling Up. The discovered artefacts will be carefully backfilled, and plans are underway to integrate these findings into the redevelopment designs. Further research is ongoing to reveal more about the site’s rich history! 🙌🏼 Credit: Black Mountains Archaeology Ltd for fieldwork and imagery 📸 Discover more by clicking the link here —> https://lnkd.in/g7j2t-XD #LevellingUp #FundedbyUKGovernment #archaeological City & County of Swansea | UK government | Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities