An Interim Report EXCAVATIONS at CAERAU HILLFORT
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CARDIFF STUDIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY 35 EXCAVATIONS AT CAERAU HILLFORT, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES, 2014 An Interim Report By O. Davis & N. Sharples CARDIFF STUDIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY SPECIALIST REPORT NUMBER 35 EXCAVATIONS AT CAERAU HILLFORT, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES, 2014 Interim Report by O. Davis & N. Sharples with contributions by M. Allen, P. Hodkinson & R. Madgewick CARDIFF STUDIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY SPECIALIST REPORT NUMBER 35 EXCAVATIONS AT CAERAU HILLFORT, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES, 2014 National Primary Reference Number (NPRN) 94517 Cadw Scheduled Ancient Monument No. GM018 Cardiff Studies in Archaeology Specialist Report 35 © The authors 2015 Oliver Davis and Niall Sharples, ISBN 978-0-9568398-4-8 Published by the Department of Archaeology & Conservation School of History Archaeology and Religion Cardiff University, John Percival Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU Tel: +44 (0)29 208 74470 Fax: +44 (0)29 208 74929 Email: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission of the authors. Designed by Cardiff Archaeological Illustration and Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design Premium Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Background 3 3. Previous Archaeological Work 7 4. Project Aims & Objectives 9 5. Excavation Methodology 13 6. Excavation Results 15 7. Finds 53 8. Palaeo - Environmental Summary 59 9. Summary 73 10. Community Impact 75 11. Bibliography 97 Appendix 1- Context Lists 91 Appendix 2 - Small Find List 97 Appendix 3 - Sample List 99 1. Introduction Four weeks of excavation at Caerau Hillfort (NPRN permission to carry out the investigations. The wooded 94517; SAM GM018) were carried out from 30 June to 25 boundary earthworks of the hillfort are owned by Cardiff July 2014 and involved the excavation of four trenches. Council and our thanks are extended to Nicola Hutchinson This work is the second season (see Davis and Sharples and her colleagues at Cardiff Council Park Services for 2014 for detailed discussion of the 2013 excavations) of allowing us to extend Trench 3 and Trench 9 into this an initial proposed first-stage evaluation to characterise area. The area is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the occupation of the hillfort. It is intended that this work Scheduled Monument Consent was granted by Cadw and will provide significant new information about the nature we are grateful to Jon Berry and his colleagues at Cadw of Iron Age occupation and daily life within hillforts and for their continuing support. Funding for the excavations establish a chronological framework for their occupation was provided by the Arts and Humanities Research in south-east Wales. In addition, the investigation of Council and Cardiff University. Romano-British features at Caerau, some of potential ‘invasion period’ date, as well as Medieval features, will This report summarises the results of the excavations and significantly add to our knowledge of these important includes the stratigraphic sequences recorded in each of periods in south-east Wales. Significantly, this year’s the four trenches, and a discussion of the excavation’s excavations have revealed complex Neolithic activity on significance for understanding hillforts and causewayed the hill with the identification of a possible causewayed enclosures in south-east Wales. The animal bone report enclosure defined by four lines of ditches. Such a was undertaken by Dr Richard Madgwick and Ms Poppy discovery is of national significance – only five other Hodkinson, Cardiff University. A detailed analysis of the causewayed enclosures are known in Wales, three in the Caerau glass bead, recovered from Trench 4 during the Vale of Glamorgan (Norton, Corntown, Flemingston), one 2013 excavations has been completed by Dr Elizabeth in Powys (Womaston) and one in Pembrokeshire (Banc Foulds, Durham University. The other specialist finds Du). There are also four other 'possibles' known from and palaeo-environmental reports are currently in aerial photography, Dryslwyn (Pembrokeshire), Marian preparation and only brief summaries are provided here. Ffrith (Denbighshire), Weaver’s Plantation (Powys), All of the drawings were completed by Katie Sutton and Little Norton (Vale of Glamorgan), but these are far from Alice Bertini under the guidance of Ian Dennis and Kirsty certain and could well be later prehistoric. Harding and we are extremely grateful to them all. The project was directed by Dr Oliver Davis, Professor A selection of radiocarbon samples is currently pending Niall Sharples and Dr David Wyatt of Cardiff University. an application to NERC in April 2015. Mike Allen, The core project team consisted of 13 staff and 21 student AEA, undertook further environmental assessment of archaeologists from Cardiff University. From the outset the soils and we are pleased to include a summary of the Caerau excavations have linked nationally significant his second report in this interim. We would also like research with a broad mission to engage with the public, to thank Tim Young, Ian Dennis, Rob Thomas and Sue particularly the local communities of Caerau and Ely. Virgo for their logistical support. Particular thanks should The engagement strategy this year was again to raise the go to Dave Horton, Taela-May Hindle and all their public’s awareness of, and participation in, local heritage colleagues at Action Caerau and Ely for their support and and archaeological fieldwork, providing educational encouragement. opportunities and widen access to further education. The aim was to challenge stigmas and unfounded stereotypes Finally, we would like to thank the numerous members ascribed to this part of Cardiff. The excavation also of the local community who gave their time and provided an excellent opportunity to involve 21 demonstrated amazing passion and interest for their undergraduate students and numerous volunteers in local heritage – none of this work would have been knowledge transfer and community engagement activities possible without their help and support. A summary of that will provide them with significant employability the community engagement activities is provided here. skills. The interior of the hillfort is privately owned and we are very grateful to the David family of Penylan Farm for 1 2. Background 2.1 Background of CAER Heritage Project and the National Museum of Wales to involve young people facing exclusion in creating a heritage themed art; A summary of the CAER Heritage Project was provided community outreach opportunities for university students in the 2013 interim report (Davis and Sharples 2014) working closely alongside community participants. and an analysis of the impact of the project has been undertaken (Ancarno et al. forthcoming). However, a The wide ranging nature of the project's impacts, more reflective summary is offered here. partnerships and the embedding of academics and a professional artist within a community context resulted Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, in multifarious, often 'organically' nurtured forms of the Caerau And Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage engagement and co-production. This included the Project is a collaborative project begun in 2011 between embedding of research co-production within the curricula Cardiff University, Action in Caerau and Ely (a charity of participating secondary schools with pupils undertaking that runs the Community First Programme), local schools geophysical surveys, archaeological excavation, creating and local residents. The project is based around one of museum exhibitions, performances and artwork, heritage Cardiff’s most important, but little-known, archaeological trails and participating in a Timeteam programme in April sites, Caerau Hillfort, and seeks to engage local people 2012. The involvement of professional artist, Paul Evans, and school children in their shared history and challenge in all stages of the project proved a particularly successful marginalisation. strategy in this respect. Paul designed and facilitated creative forms of engagement with local heritage themes In synergy with the practices of our partner community including large eco-graffiti art installations, puppet development organisation, Action in Caerau and Ely shows, heritage trail design and the creation of an Iron- (ACE), the CAER Heritage team are committed to Age themed mural with both local pupils in mainstream involving community members actively in the co- secondary education and young people excluded from production of research; valuing the contribution of school. Furthermore, the embedding of research within all participants and partners in a mutually beneficial a series of free accredited adult-education courses in and reciprocal relationship. To date, the project has practical archaeology, in association with Cardiff Centre involved a myriad of non-HE partners (primary and for Lifelong Learning, proved successful in engaging secondary schools, community groups, youth workers, long term unemployed males in co-production – with community development workers, local residents, the clear benefits in terms of progression and confidence National Museum of Wales, Cardiff Story Museum, building for a number of individuals (Davis and Sharples Glamorgan Archives, Cardiff Council etc.) alongside 2014, 59-60) academics, undergraduates and postgraduates from a range of disciplines at Cardiff University (e.g. history, The CAER Heritage Project has also sought to establish archaeology, social sciences). new social and professional partnerships thereby