Annual archaeology report reveals wealth of monuments in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

THE annual archaeology report on Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s work with the historic landscape during 2019-20 was presented to authority members on Wednesday, September 23.

With more than 9,500 records relating to features of archaeological interest in the national park – including 287 scheduled monuments – the authority has a wealth of heritage under its care.

Cadw routinely inspects scheduled monuments in the national park with just over half – 53 per  cent – at low risk of deterioration. However, over a third are at medium or greater risk of deterioration without intervention, the report by Tomos Jones states.

Activities and events were carried out by the authority through 2019 and up until lockdown in March, working with communities and a large number of partner agencies to explore, protect and promote the historic landscape.

Plans are now underway to continue some of the projects more remotely, including the Heritage Guardians programme with schools, set up in 2018 to get young people engaged with archaeology and heritage.

Last year students from Ysgol Maenclochog, Ysgol Brynconin and Ysgol Croesgoch took part in sessions including an introduction to archaeology and artefact handling,  mini excavations and site visits, with expressions of interest from other school received.

Archaeological links with projects such as Ancient Connections, Saving Treasures Telling Stories, Climate Change and Coastal Heritage, and the popular archaeological day was highlighted in the report.

This year’s archaeological day is set to go ahead digitally with the final details currently being finalised, Mr Jones told members.

He also highlighted the success of Heritage Watch which allows people to report any concerns about a site via a Facebook group or the park’s website.

Its most recent work was patrolling archaeological sites such as burial chambers, settlements and standing stones, with support from Dyfed Powys-Police for anyone causing issues on the September equinox.

Featured image. Dave from Leicester, UK / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)