Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Carmarthen
Project managed excavation and associated works in Carmarthenshire.
The work was carried out in line with a condition of planning permission for the development of the Ysgol Bro Dinefwr School on behalf of client Carmarthenshire County Council.
Early consultation and project scoping was key
The site had been the subject of previous archaeological geophysical survey and evaluation by Dyfed Archaeological Trust (DAT). This confirmed the presence of Prehistoric, Roman and possible Early Medieval archaeology within the site. Based on the above AB Heritage compiled a Written Scheme of Investigation and a Detailed Archaeological Specification for further work on the site and these were agreed with the Dyfed Archaeological Trust Heritage Management archaeologists in December 2013.
AB Heritage Ltd appointed Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd to undertake the fieldwork associated with the project, while the overall project-management was retained by AB Heritage. The fieldwork for the project included a mix of full open archaeological excavation, field walking and hand dug test pitting/sieving, along with machine dug trial trenches and some intensive trial trenching.
The post excavation stages of the project took place in late 2014 and 2015 . AB Heritage led partners in the scoping of the research to be undertaken, the assessment and analysis of the finds from the site and production of final reports.
Community liaison during and after the dig
As part of the commission undertaken on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council, AB Heritage managed a number of community events during the field work phase, and further post-excavation liaison
During the pre‐determination and archaeological excavation phase on site an area to the north of site with known potential for flint scatters was identified and designated appropriate for volunteer community engagement. We also engaged and were visited by school children from both the Pant‐y‐Celyn and Tre‐gib school campus’, who received tours of the archaeology found on site.
The success of the field walking meant that plans to dig test‐pits across the area went ahead. This involved more opportunities for local volunteers to join in, but were more targeted.
To ensure that the findings at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr continued to be communicated to an audience of academics and the wider general public AB Heritage prepared:
- Ebook- prepared for the general public
- Living History: Information board/plaque – weatherproof board within the vicinity of the new school site.
- Public Lecture at the Ysgol Bro Dinefwr School to present the findings of the project to those attending the event, and to attract others from the area to learn about what has been found.