Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Archaeological research and training excavation at Llanerchdirion,

Abbey Cwmhir, , SO 02707175

Bezant, J, Lovell, J and Ravest, J

2021

This document has been prepared as a project design for excavations at Llanerchdirion in 2021.

Figure 1 The Upper Cwmhir Valley looking eastwards towards the abbey in the valley floor. Photo J Ravest

Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Contents

Directions ...... 3 Essential contacts and Locations ...... 4 Introduction ...... 5 Background ...... 5 Upper Cwmhir Valley survey 2020 ...... 6 Llanerchdirion farmstead, Julian Lovell ...... 7 Designations ...... 8 Public Engagement ...... 8 Aims and Objectives ...... 9 Project Management ...... 10 Dissemination and reporting ...... 10 Health and Safety ...... 11 Methodology ...... 11 Drone Methodology, Julian Ravest ...... 12 The Material Archive ...... 12 Bulk Finds ...... 12 Selection, retention and discard ...... 12 Copyright ...... 13 References ...... 14 Risk assessment ...... 22 Fieldschool essential contacts and Locations ...... 22 Coronavirus Measures ...... 22 Risk Assessment Author: J Bezant on 20.6.21 ...... 23 Health, Safety and Conduct ...... 24 Insurance ...... 27 Covid CONTACT TRACING Risk Assessment and conduct ...... 29

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Directions

Directions from Take the B4518 to . Just as you approach the village of St Harmon there is a right hand turn (small lane) on the right. It is sign-posted . Follow this small lane as it wiggles out of the village, past a farm called Bailey Bedw, past a turn left to The Gorse, past a wood on the left (marked Pant y Brwyn on the map attached) until you rise up to a junction with a sharp turn to your left and a wood ahead (marked Cwmhir Bank on the map). You’ll see from the map that the meeting/parking point is just along the sharp turn to your left on that junction. Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Directions from Abbeycwmhir This route involves driving over a reasonably steep hill, single track with occasional passing places. Drive through Abbeycwmhir from direction of A483. Approx. 0.5 mile from village, where there is a road to the right, carry straight on towards Rhayader. Go over the steep hill and through the hairpin bend to a T junction. Turn right (probably signpost towards St Harmon). Drive up a hill to where the road splits. Don't take the left hand road to St Harmon but carry on for a few 100 metres to the parking/meeting place. Essential contacts and Locations Jemma Bezant (Project Director) 07847 891587, University of Trinity Saint David, College Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED, main switchboard +441570 422351 [email protected]

Rhayader doctors surgery 01597 810231 Minor Injuries Dept: War Memorial Hospital, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5HF, +441597822951

Emergency: 999 Fieldwork location (muster here in case of emergency): Cwmffwrn Farm, St Harmon, Rhayader, , LD6 5NG, Ordnance Survey Grid Ref: SO 02300, 72085; what3words glory, scope, acquaint

Parking: SO 01792, 722489; what3words trembles, theory, myths Please park safely and make your own way along the track to the excavation site. Off-road transport will be provided for those not wishing to walk. You will be asked to sign the Covid track and trace on arrival at the excavation site - and to read the risk assessment if you are aiming to participate. Please bring food, drink, suitable footwear and outdoor clothing – and a camping chair if you wish to be super-comfortable. We will be providing hot drinks.

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Introduction A programme of archaeological survey work was begun in 2020 in the Upper Cwmhir Valley to the west of the Cistercian Abbey Cwmhir. That work comprises a partnership between the Sacred Landscapes of Monasteries Project, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust (AHT). In 2021, the Trust acquired funding from Local Giving Magic Little Grant 2021 and Wales Council for Voluntary Action - Volunteering Wales Grant Scheme 2021/2. This allowed the partnership to propose archaeological excavations at one of the earthwork sites identified as part of last year’s research. This excavation will be led by Dr Jemma Bezant of UWTSD in July 2021 and in accordance with CIfA regulations (CIfA, 2014).

The joint venture between UWTSD and the AHT was conceived in 2019 with the aim of investigating the landscape contexts of Abbey Cwmhir primarily within its home grange of Golon in Radnorshire, using the regressive historic methodologies developed over the longstanding research programmes at Strata Florida. (Austin, 2019; Austin & Bezant, 2019; Bezant, 2013)

The overall objective is to reconstruct period maps through retrogressive analysis of the functioning landscapes of the Middle Ages and to understand some of the embedded meanings of the space, focussing on the sacred. Professor David Austin and Dr Jemma Bezant of the Scared Landscapes team have been providing training, guidance and academic direction to the collaboration.

A planned series of face to face practical workshops and training surveys at Cwmhir in 2020 was moved online due to Covid and a project spatial database was constructed using Esri’s ArcGIS platform with QGIS for remote workers. Nineteenth-century mapping included enclosure and tithe, with the 1st edition Ordnance survey providing a key base (and proving particularly useful for remapping in detail, the grange boundaries from an AD1200 grant, Bezant et al forthcoming).

These data highlighted a region of discrete sheep-grazing areas linked to former farmsteads. Lidar, land-use and geology mapping complemented the mapping and an extensive photogrammetric survey of the entire Upper Cwmhir valley produced spectacular high-resolution topographical survey, which identified a number of new earthwork sites. Field records of two of these sites were made during a training field school in September and by the end of 2020 there were over twenty volunteers working on different aspects of the heritage research.

Background The Upper Cwmhir Valley forms a western portion of the former Golon grange of the Abbey (Map). Abbey Cwmhir was founded in 1176 by Cadwallon ap Madog (Williams, 1990: 268), Lord of Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Maelienydd and was colonised by monks from Abbey. The current house was founded on the north bank of the Clywedog river, possibly on a new site. In 1198-9 a colony of monks was sent to found a daughter house at Cymer. The abbey was patronised by , Roger Mortimer who issued a charter to the abbey in AD1200, as did King John in 1214 and Henry III in 1232 (Charles, 1970). Following his death in 1282, was buried at the abbey. Valued at £35 12s and 0d in the 1291 Taxatio, reflecting its income from pastoral sheep farming, the abbey held no appropriated churches as at other Cistercian abbeys, even though it was forbidden by statute. The plan to build a substantial church with an 100m long nave was possibly never realised and it remained unfinished. The abbey suffered damage during the Glyndwr rebellion of the early years of the 15th century and by it dissolution in 1537, there were only three monks recorded.

The low walls of the former abbey church are set in an east-west aligned valley standing on the Afon Clywedog in the tithe parish of Cefnpawl and Golon in p. , some five miles east of Rhayader. The former precinct boundary presumably enclosed a cloister and other conventual buildings, now mostly occupied by Home Farm. Archaeological surveys (from Williams, CPAT to RCAHMW aerials and drone), drone surveys and most recently, aerial surveys by the RCAHMW in the 2018 drought have revealed a cemetery and perhaps later garden enclosures as well as substantial enclosures outside the precinct wall. The abbey sits in the southern part of its home grange, Golon, comprising nearly 10,000 hectares of sheepwalks, unenclosed mountain land and scattered farmsteads. Leland describes the upland nature of Cwmhir in 1538 as an “abbay of White Monkes stondith betwixt ii. great hilles in Melennith (Maelienydd along with to the south and Gwrtheyrnion to the west formed the ancient kingdom of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, between the Wye and the Severn (Toulmin Smith, 1906, p. 52).

Upper Cwmhir Valley survey 2020 The Upper Cwmhir valley was originally part of the abbey’s home grange, bounded on its western edge by the boundary as described in the AD1200 grant (Charles 1970). The Nant Cwmhir enters the Clywedog river to the west of the abbey and this valley rises to the northwest with Castell Garn at a height of 494m. Our survey area comprised the area of the valley south of the Nant Cwmhir. Enclosure and tithe maps (dates and REFS), depict Cwmfforn, Llanerchdirion, Gelenen and Cwmhir (‘The Abbey’) sheepwalks which functioned as individual upland grazing areas. These were operated from eponymous farmsteads, now ruined but depicted mostly as one or two small buildings surrounded by small enclosures. On the tithe (REF, date) they are Cwm Hir in the south, then Cwm Rogue, Glanyrafon, Gelenin, Llanerch dirion and Cwm forn at 370m. LOCATION MAP. The intention is for these farmsteads to be surveyed and investigated further to improve our understanding of Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

settlement and land use in Golon grange. In the post dissolution period, these farmsteads are recorded in relation to upland encroachment and this analysis is given below.

Walkover survey was conducted on the upland area comprising the Cwmforn sheepwalk. The aim was to assess the survival of archaeological features, to trial recording methods and to train volunteers in off-set survey and field record making. Two earthwork platform and enclosure sites were surveyed and records for other new sites were produced for the Historic Environment Record curated by Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust. (TABLE).

Llanerchdirion farmstead, Julian Lovell The site is a complex of low earthworks described in the 1839 tithe as Llanerchdirion, a house and garden owned by Francis Phillips and occupied by Thomas Lewis. The site is previously unrecorded but forms one of a group of four other decayed post medieval farmsteads in the Upper Cwmhir valley: Glanyrafon (or Upper Cwmhir, PRN 134184), Gelynen (PRN 53208) and Cwmffwrn (PRN 127420) in the upper northwest of the valley on the 390m contour. All four farmsteads are accompanied by unenclosed ‘sheepwalks’ detailed on the tithe and the enclosure maps. Llanerchdirion ceased to function as a farmstead in the 1860's and of the remaining sites in the upper valley it is the most difficult to assess. In recent times a vehicle track has been driven through to conect with the lower part of the valley and this makes it difficult to precisely locate the site of the buildings. The present owners are aware of some laid 'cobbles' which could be from within the house or part of a yard. The Surveyor's Ordnance Survey map of 1817 suggests two buildings on the site and this again would match with the Layton Cooke report of a farmhouse and beast house. There are several low banks which may indicate enclosures or early fields but these await further investigation. The presence of numerous reed tussocks and tree roots, as well as rubble, make the use of geophysical survey techniques very difficult. Reference to sale documents relating to the Fowler Estate, 1781, shows this farm listed as Wilson's Land.

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Designations The area is included within Natural Resources Wales Landscape Character area as Bryniau Maesyfed and as an ‘Uplands and Lowlands’ Cultural Landscape Area for Radnorshire characterised by a rural, sparsely populated agriculture area and is adjacent to the Abbey Cwmhir landscape area (LANDMAP https://landmap-portal.naturalresources.wales/view_survey.php?survey_id=4714). The area has been extensively planted with coniferous woodland and has few environmental designations. In visual and sensory terms, the impact is described as “rather unattractive & unnatural landscape due to extensive conifer forests which are not particularly well related to topography and stifle underlying intrinsic characteristics ”is undulating upland terrain and dissected plateau dominated by the Rhyader Mudstones Formation (British Geological Survey (1993), England and Wales Sheet 179 (1:50 000)). Llanerchdirion lies within the Llywn-barried Historical Landscape area classified as undulant mixed field patterns with the following keywords Buried-dry. Relict-Earthworks. Relict- Stone Monuments. Buildings & Structures. Documentary. Industrial Archaeology, and the following periods Prehistoric. Roman. Medieval (to 1536). Post Medieval (1536+). Industrial. Recent (https://landmap-portal.naturalresources.wales/view_survey?ID=9408). The habitat is described as dry terrestrial with mosaics of grassland and marsh with upland oak woodland.

Public Engagement The project is a one, funded by the LocalGiving Magic Little Grant 2021 and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action - Volunteering Wales Grant Scheme 2021/2. Expert-led training will be provided for community volunteers to investigate new findings, to engage new and existing volunteers and to encourage meaningful and rewarding activities. The findings of the group will be published via project newsletters and will benefit our knowledge of the cultural heritage of Wales. Community and individual wellbeing are at the heart of the programme and aims to bring a sense of cohesion to the community. The excavation is during the CBA’s annual Festival of Archaeology and is marketed through their national channels.

The 24th and 25th July will be an open weekend/public participation event and will encourage supervised ‘have a go’ events as well as observations by visitors. Booking is via Eventbrite.

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Aims and Objectives

Aim 1 is to provide training and engagement to the members and visiting public to the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust group. This will give participants a ‘taster’ session in field excavation in a short ‘hands on session’. This might include excavating historic surfaces using hand tools, cleaning and recording surfaces via photography or drawing, and cleaning finds. Supervision is provided by a CIfA qualified archaeologist with over 20 years field experience.

Participants will be strongly encouraged to develop and extend their observational and basic documentation skills in relation to material evidence, particularly in relation to archaeological landscapes, structures, and intrusive ground-works.

Participants will be encouraged to purchase an Archaeology Skills Passport document which is fast becoming an industry standard record of a persons’ field skills.

A key aim of the Field School is for participants to develop the confidence and ability to see archaeological evidence, and gain skills to organise, explain and share their observations. A key teaching approach is that manual drawing and sketching are key routes to perceiving and interacting with archaeological material, using a recursive process of looking > drawing > seeing.

The goal is for all participants to develop sensitivity to, and a wider appreciation of, material heritage, and the confidence to discuss their observations with a range of stakeholders (for example; local authorities, other researchers, commercial companies, and their own communities).

Aim 2 is to understand and characterise the archaeological potential of the site. Historic research and earthwork survey have indicated the presence of a former 19th century farmstead. Its location near to Abbeycwmhir suggests it may have been associated with medieval agricultural practices, perhaps linked to the adjacent upland sheepwalk. The aim is to clear and record uppermost surfaces of immediate overburden and to reveal floor plans of wall outlines and occupation surfaces. Llanerchdirion was merged together with neighbouring Gelenin and it went out of use sometime after 1822. A replacement cottage was built, but where? Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Aim 3 is to make recommendations for future excavations at the site, This will be contextualised inside recommendations of the Wales Archaeological; Research Framework and also within the landscape research project comparing Strata Florida and Abbeycwmhir upland estates.

Project Management The archaeological elements of the project will be directed by Dr Jemma Bezant who is a full member of the CIfA and has over 20 years field experience. She is supported by the executive committee of the Abbeycwmhir Heritage Trust who are liaising with the community and volunteer input and managing the funding elements.

Access is provided by the permission of the landowners, Ian and Angela Lewis of Cwmffwrn.

Dissemination and reporting Results via an interim report will be disseminated via the AHT newsletter and a short report in the 2022 Archaeology in Wales Journal. Updates about the project will be made available through the AHT project website https://abbeycwmhir.org/ and will be presented via the AHTs programme of public lectures in 2021-2. HER enhancement is a key part of the survey project thus far and team members have direct access to add and edit entries on Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust’s HER.

The interim report will be produced in accordance with the guidance and standards provided by CIfA (2014) that will produce an organised, clear summary site narrative, descriptions of the information recovered and statements of potential by appropriate specialists. It will outline possible further analysis and recommendations for production of publications for dissemination.

This report will:

• Acknowledge project stakeholders and relevant agents • Place the site into its archaeological context locally and regionally • Describe the scope, aims and circumstances of the project. • Summarise the methodologies applied during excavation and survey • Make an interim statement on the results of the fieldwork

A summary of the site archive:

• Site records and data structure • Description of finds, range, dating, preservation and post-ex work • Environmental material, summary of each category (eg bone, wood), range, preservation and post-ex work • Documentary sources and project bibliography Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Statement of the potential in terms of wider research context

The report will contain:

• appropriate illustrations, drawings, maps and plans. • Supporting data in tabulated form • Contents summary, references and bibliography

The report will be lodged with the Historic Environment Record at Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust

Health and Safety The excavation will be carried out in accordance with the standrads described in the Health and Safety at Work Act

Methodology An area of roughly 5 by 4 metres will be stripped to remove the very top vegetation layer, comprising very thin rough marshy grass and weed layers. The trench will be excavated by hand by trainee participants overseen by the site director. The trench is located on an area where stone cobbling can be seen at the surface and forms a known layer from which to commence excavating. The trench will be widened as needed. Contexts will be individually identified, numbered, described, planned and photographed at a scale of 1:20 to aid with and phasing and dating of the site. Sections and elevations will be drawn at a scale of 1:10 of all significant features and trench sides, and levelled to ordnance datum.

A register of all contexts, photographs, samples, and small finds will be kept and will form the site record. The site code will be ACLD 21 (Abbey Cwmhir, Llanerchdirion 2021) and contexts will number sequentially from 001 and taken from a site register. Where possible, an appropriate metal detecting survey of all contexts and spoil will be undertaken. All finds remain the property of the landowner and the right to treasure is waived. All stratified finds will be recovered and their stratigraphic context will be recorded on-site where processing and cataloguing will take place under the direction of the site director.

The palaeoenvironmental potential of any context will be assessed by site staff and any samples recovered will be recorded and catalogued.

Trenches will be located precisely using triangulation of features on the gound and matched with those on Ordnance Survey base mapping allowing features to be located onto the project GIS. Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Drone Methodology, Julian Ravest An initial survey was carried out at an average flying altitude of 75m. The drone was controlled by DroneDeploy software which flew the drone automatically in a grid pattern taking overlapping photographs. These photographs were subsequently compiled by Mapsmadeeasy.com into georeferenced photogrammetric tiles which were loaded into QGIS. These tiles were initially located in QGIS using the drone’s GPS system with its typical intrinsic accuracy of around +2-3m. This was improved in QGIS by manually adjusting tiles to provide best fit between the tiles and with the underlying 6 inch OS map. The resulting accuracy is estimated as +1m. Thirty-one tiles were created to cover the study area. A total of 4,445 aerial photographs were taken in this phase of the study. While aerial photography has enabled mapping of the farm and has added to the information within the historic maps, it has the limitation of only generating a surface model of the site. In this regard, tree cover and thick, seasonal, vegetation is an additional, critical constraint.

The Material Archive

Bulk Finds Finds are the property of the owner (Ian and Angela Lewis). Retention of finds by the AHT for an appropriate period will allow further research and analysis by project members employed by University of Wales Trinity Saint David an ongoing research programme.

It is anticipated that an appropriate representative sample of, for example, dressed building stone, representative roofing and flooring tiles, ceramics, shell, slag and or other stone will be retained for reference.

Small finds subject to more precise on-site recording methods (xyz and photographic record in-situ) may include coins or other metal objects, glass, bone, worked flint for eg, and will be kept under secure and dry controlled conditions.

Human remains are not expected but in any case will be treated in accordance with national standards and guidance (BABAO, 2008).

Selection, retention and discard Decisions regarding retention will be made in discussion between the project director and AHT. Items not selected for retention beyond the end of the project will be recorded (context information and photography) and deposited on site or reburied in agreement with the appropriate landowner. Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

We anticipate this might include larger pieces of dressed building stone and other bulk building materials.

Copyright This document and its content is copyright under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 jointly by UWTSD and AHT © 2021 All rights reserved.

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:

• you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only • you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the document as the source of the material You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

References

Austin, D. (2019). Y Filltir Sgwâr: mapping the history of local land in a Welsh heartland. In R. Comeau & A. Seaman (Eds.), Living off the Land: Agriculture in Wales c.400 to 1600AD. Windgather Press.

Austin, D., & Bezant, J. (2019). The Ceredigion Landscape, 12th to 16th Centuries. In G. H. Jenkins, R. Suggett, & E. M. White (Eds.), Ceredigion County History, Volume II. University of Wales press on behalf of Cymdeithas Hanes Ceredigion and Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Wales.

BABAO. (2008). British Association of Biological Anthropology Human Remains Code of Practice. 22. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.2015.100.issue-12.toc

Bezant, J. (2013). The medieval grants to : mapping the agency of lordship. In J. Burton & K. Stober (Eds.), Monastic Wales, New Approaches (pp. 73–88). University of Wales Press.

Bye, A. (2020). COVID-19 Working Advice, Prospect, V1.1.

Charles, B. G. (1970). An Early Charter of the Abbey of Cwmhir. The Radnorshire Society Transactions, 40, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

CIfA. (2014). Standard and guidance for archaeological excavation. In Standard and guidance for archaeological excavation. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhmas/jrr055

Powell, A. D. (1981). Report on the Abbey Cwm Hir Estate, 1822 (Third Instalment) by Layton Cooke. The Radnorshire Society Transactions, 51, 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

Toulmin Smith, L. (1906). Leland’s Itinerary in England and Wales. George Bell & Sons.

Williams, D. H. (1990). Atlas of Cistercian Lands in Wales. University of Wales Press. Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 2 Photogrammetric drone survey of the Upper Cwmhir Valley. J Ravest © Crown Copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2021. All rights reserved. [1890s Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 3 1st Edition 10:10560 Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2021. All rights reserved. [1890s] Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 4 1918 OS surveyors drawings showing Llanerchdirion as two buildings in a square enclosure at the end of © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey (100025252) a trackway.

Figure 5 A Report on the Abbey Cwmhir estate 1822 by Layton Cooke (Powell, 1981: 50). It shows that the original holding comprised enclosed land (fields), upland grazing as a sheepwalk and a tenement with attached shed which had a variety of purposes. The cottage on a plan of A was apparently built – but was it here or at neighbouring Gelenin after the two holdings were merged?

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 6 Tithe map of the Townships of Golon and Cefnpawl in the parish of Lanbister in the county of Radnor

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 7 Tithe apportionment 1839

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 8 Total station earthwork survey by Charlie Price and Phil Olivant

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Figure 9 Llanerhcdirion in 2006. Cwmfwrn Farm can be seen to the north (bottom left, © 2021 Bluesky Infoterra Ltd and COWI A/S

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Risk assessment

All visitors, participants and volunteers will be required to sign the Covid contract tracing form on the site paper copy of this document.

By signing, participants agree that they have read the risk assessment.

Llanerchdirion excavation (July 2021)

Project Director Dr Jemma Bezant [email protected] +447847891587 University of Wales Trinity Saint David, College Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED

Fieldschool essential contacts and Locations Jemma Bezant (field school co-ordinator) 07847 891587, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, College Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED, main switchboard +441570 422351 [email protected]

Rhayader doctors surgery 01597 810231

Minor Injuries Dept: Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5HF, +441597822951

Emergency: 999

Fieldwork location (muster here in case of emergency): Cwmffwrn Farm, St Harmon, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5NG, Ordnance Survey Grid Ref: SO 02300, 72085; what3words glory, scope, acquaint

Parking: SO 01792, 722489; what3words trembles, theory, myths

Coronavirus Measures All reasonable means have been taken to ensure safe working practices have been assessed.

This project will follow guidance laid down by Welsh Government (https://gov.wales/coronavirus) at the time of fieldwork. Precise guidance has been provided by PROSPECT (the archaeologist field workers union) which offers advice for producing Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and risk assessing archaeological work during the COVID-19 pandemic (Bye, 2020, see Appendix 4).

. Currently this means:

• Contact details of participants and visitors to be recorded and kept for minimum 14 days • Participants with Covid symptoms will be asked to not attend and to inform group leader within 14 days of the end of the project. Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

• 2m distance will be advised where possible • Face coverings are advised when working at close quarters • Car sharing will be minimised and face coverings where unavoidable • Hand sanitiser will be provided • Alcohol wipes for cleaning are to be provided where equipment is to be shared • Communication of these measures and the risk assessment will be shared with all participants.

Risk Assessment Author: J Bezant on 20.6.21 Risk Mitigation Weather, dehydration, heat Participants will be asked to be stroke, sunburn, cold and cognisant of the weather forecast hypothermia before setting out each day. Appropriate clothing should be worn: waterproof coat, hat, sun screen and extra layers should be carried. Water should be carried to stay hydrated. An inclement weather forecast may preclude or postpone fieldwork. Symptoms must be reported to the field supervisor immediately: shivering, paleness, sweating, dizziness, confusion or numbness. Slips, trips and falls Excavation will be undertaken on active farmland, woodland and open upland. Hazards include uneven ground, rough trackways or paths, climbing over gates, stiles or banks. Participants to wear appropriate footwear at all times. Please beware wet grass and other slippery surfaces – stick to paths where available. Do carry a walking stick as an aid where needed. Do not work alone. Straying, getting lost Precise excavation area will be allocated before setting out and each group will be given directions. Groups should not stray from the allocated area – do not work alone. First Aid Field supervisor will carry a first aid kit in the field. Supervisor also to carry a charged mobile phone with emergency services phone numbers installed. Equipment Safe use of equipment will be covered in in the initial induction. This will include checking, lifting, Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

carrying and deploying. Likely to be digging equipment, drawing boards, ranging rods, cameras and drawing equipment/stationery. Please make sure you are familiar with use before using any equipment. Participants bring their own equipment at their own risk. Photography All photographs/video during survey remain the copyright of the project as outlined above. Images will be stored and form part of the project archive. You agree to be photographed and those images to be used as promotion or as a record of activites at the site. It is your responsibility to notify team supervisors if you do not wish to be recorded. Safeguarding Under 18s only accompanied by an adult and observation only. Participants to please work in groups or pairs. Anyone who considers themselves to be at risk should identify themselves to the field supervisor before the start of the survey. Hygiene, illness This survey is in remote outdoor locations with minimal hygiene provisions. Please be advised to bring extra water, tissue and/or hand gel for washing and cleaning. Access to a portaloo will be at Cwmffrwn Farm. Environmental damage/ access Areas of access and restriction will be identified in advance and will not form part of the survey area. This might include areas of sensitive environments such as peaty wetlands with ground nesting birds, and/or sensitive species. Appropriate databases supplied by NRW and/or Cadw will be consulted in the field planning stage. Appropriate landowner access will be sought in all cases. Limited off- road driving is envisaged.

Health, Safety and Conduct

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

At all times behave responsibly, sensibly and courteously. a. Anyone leaving site for any reason must inform site supervisor b. Follow the instructions of group leaders and act on these immediately. c. In general, keep together as a group, and be alert to the safety of other members of the group. d. Avoid dangerous and potentially dangerous situations (e.g. you should avoid entering restricted spaces in the ground deeper than 1.2 m; standing under objects that may fall on your head; or entering buildings and development areas without permission). e. Participants should behave in a responsible manner at all times and should not expose themselves, or third parties, to unnecessary risks. f. Avoid damage or disturbance to the archaeological fabric of sites. g. When in smaller groups take particular care not to expose yourself or your partners to any unnecessary risks. h. Behave in an appropriate way for prevailing conditions. If in doubt, take shelter. Do not climb onto high or exposed locations in strong winds. In thunderstorms, do not seek shelter beneath or near isolated features such as trees or rock outcrops. i. You should not work alone and should not wander off from the area within which you are supposed to be working without informing a member of staff. j. ALWAYS wear the appropriate PPE in areas designated for their use or where instructed by group leaders. k. Avoid damage and disturbance to livestock, wildlife and the environment; follow the Country Code; and observe laws of trespass. l. Use tools responsibly and with a safe working area around you. Be careful whilst lifting to protect your back, be careful when using tools – never raise a tool above waist height. Wear gloves where appropriate. m. Participants will be asked, prior to the field class, to disclose to the organisers of any medical conditions affecting their health. It is vital that anyone who suffers from epilepsy, asthma or similar problems that may afflict them at any time without warning, explicitly notify the appropriate staff member. n. Participants should make sure they have their own first-line medicines, which should be carried at all times, as well as any special personal medications. In addition, first- aid kits equipped to deal with minor accidents will be carried by project staff but may not contain medications. o. Anyone giving first-aid should wear rubber gloves as a precaution against blood- borne infections. p. Participants should at all times be conscious of the danger of over-exposure to the sun and take appropriate action. Participants should wear appropriate clothing. Even in the summer it can be quite cold and wet in Wales, especially at higher elevations. Be sure to have warm, waterproof clothing and stout waterproof boots. The weather can sometimes deteriorate quite quickly even in August. The importance of adequate clothing cannot be stressed too much. We suggest that denim jeans are avoided as they retain water for longer periods than cotton clothes; that sturdy footwear not trainers are worn; and that a waterproof jacket and trousers and a hat are taken. Also you should be careful about sun and heat – sun cream may be necessary even on cloudy days, and it is better not to work in shorts or take off shirts (on many building sites workers are no longer permitted to work bare back due to risk from sunlight). Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected] q. Take plenty of water if the day is hot, to avoid dehydration. Use insect repellent as appropriate and be vigilant for tick and insect bites. r. In the event of an accident during project work, participants should make contact with one of the project supervisors, either directly or indirectly through members of the class. The location of the nearest telephones will be indicated to each group in the field, depending on where exactly they will be working. s. Hygiene: please take care in the field when consuming food. Wash hands before eating if possible.

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Insurance

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Jemma Bezant PhD, MCIfA, FHEA [email protected]

Covid CONTACT TRACING Risk Assessment and conduct Please read the risk assessment guidance above and print, sign and date and give a contact phone number

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