Cylchgronau Cymru

Chwiliwch trwy dros 450 o deitlau a 1.2 miliwn o dudalennau

Archaeological Notes PREHISTORIC PERIODS FEW chance discoveries have been brought to the knowledge of the National Musuem during the past year, even though the sort of development which might occasion such discoveries has not slackened. On the contrary, the installation of various pipe-lines needed for the distribution of North Sea gas in the Vale has led to the cutting of continuous narrow trenches to the depth of about 4 ft. across the Vale during the autumn months. These pipe-lines run from Pentrebane to a point south of St. Brides-super-Ely and thence to Cottrell Lodge, Whitton Bush, Walterston, Treguff, Fishweir and the outskirts of St. Athan, with branches to Porthkerry and Aberthaw. The writer and some collaborators have walked considerable distances alongside the open trench, without coming across many signs of archaeological sites revealed for the first time. Immediately west of Broadclose Farm, however, near Moulton, at a point 40 ft. north of the lane, he found that the pipe-line had interesected a broad ditch, or possibly a pit, cut into the subsoil to a depth of at least 3 ft. and 10 ft. wide, apparently aligned west-south-west- east-north-east. The filling of dark earth was well compacted and contained many small fragments of charcoal, but no sherds or other objects of dating value were found. This appears to be an ancient feature, possibly connected with a ploughed out enclosure of late prehistoric date, on the ridge between the Ford and Flaxland brooks (ST 0685 7038). The pipe-line passes very close to the north side of the small earthwork at Walterston (ST 069713) and the south side of the motte and bailey at St. Nicholas (ST 085747), but nothing of interest has been noticed along the line of disturbance. The pipe-line will continue to be watched. Among chance finds, it should be recorded that the large Neolithic axe-head mentioned in this periodical two years ago (ante XIII (1969), 108) as having been found on Brocastle Farm, Ewenny, has now been presented to the National Museum (71.21H) by Mr. G. G. Martin. The exact find-spot is in a small paddock north of the farm (SS 937772); the material of the implement has proved to be of