Day 11 - Thursday 3rd September

7 intrepid souls set off to solve another mystery! Which Nantyllaethdy is which?
At some time in the past the house now known as Nantyllaethdy has swapped names with another to the east, which is closer to the stream of that name. At some point one of these two houses was known as Tir Howell Sais, and one of them, probably Penywaun was shown on the 1587 map.

By looking at field boundaries and the remains of features in the landscape, alongside the old estate maps (1587 and 1760), tithe maps and early ordinance surveys we hope to be able to construct a history of each place we look at. This project is a marriage of history and archaeology because the documentary (historical) evidence can be supported and informed by the archaeological evidence (and vice versa).

We have been examining parts of the mountain wall, which is of indeterminate date and as yet we do not have documentary evidence to help us with this. This is a significant monument that separates the managed land from the mountain high above the Dyffryn Crawnon and the Claisfer valleys. The ability to date this wall, which must have been a major work, and therefore co-ordinated by some agency, would be a major breakthrough for our local historical record.

If you would like to see for yourself, we welcome volunteers. We will be working every day until next Monday. We meet at the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30 each morning. Come prepared for the showery weather and bring your lunch.