Roman and medieval remains found buried near Barry

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have found significant Roman and medieval remains and artefacts buried by a recently built road near Barry.

The finds include a Roman mercenary buried with his sword, Iron Age farming tools, ancient burial sites and the remnants of round houses.

Rubicon Heritage Services, an archaeology firm hired by Vale of Glamorgan council, has published a new e-book and interactive story map detailing their findings.

The council hired the firm while building the new Five Mile Lane A4226, which runs from Weycock Cross in Barry to the A48 at Sycamore Cross.

Emma Reed, head of neighbourhood services and transport at the council, said:

“It’s great to learn that the archaeological study at Five Mile Lane has uncovered such a detailed history of the area. The scheme has uncovered fascinating and at times surprising remains, that help us to understand the shaping of the agricultural landscape that we see today.”

After the archaeologists finish analysing the remains, their detailed academic findings should be published by the end of the year. Excavation work was carried out between 2017 and 2019, with help from the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff University, Cadw and the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust.

The finds will later be taken to the National Museum of Wales. More details of the remains can be found on the council’s website, including a link to the interactive story map.

Mark Collard, director of Red River Archaeology Group, which includes Rubicon Heritage Services, said:

“It was a privilege for our team to have delivered a project which added so many new discoveries about the archaeology and history of the Vale of Glamorgan.

“We’re very pleased to be able now to share the results in such an accessible format with the communities of the area.”