Volunteer archaeologists have unearthed a Bronze Age burial site beneath a busy Welsh park.
The archaeological dig revealed multiple pits containing small amounts of human remains in Trelai Park in Cardiff, where the public space is regularly used by sports teams and dog walkers.
The cremated remains are thought to date from the Bronze Age and were located adjacent to a roundhouse from 1,500BC that archaeologists uncovered at the site two years earlier.
The Caerau and Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage Project volunteers who made the discovery are now examining the finds to understand their full significance, with evidence suggesting the archaeological site may be larger than initially believed.
Trelai Park could be one of the most important parks for heritage in south Wales
VIVIAN CLARKE
Trelai Park in Cardiff is a popular spot for walkers
WIKICOMMONS
The area sits just 200 metres from a Roman villa and lies half a mile from Caerau Hillfort, a nationally significant heritage site where previous excavations have revealed Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman and medieval artefacts.
"This area, which we already knew was only 200 metres away from a Roman Villa, has clearly been an important place over thousands of years," Dr Davis explained.
"It's providing us with a window onto some of the very earliest Cardiff residents who were living here in Caerau and Ely over three millennia ago."
He added: "The work now begins to carefully dig through each layer, sifting through the materials we are finding here on an hourly basis. It's a real team effort."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Alice Clarke is one of the voulenteers
VIVIAN CLARKE
The excavation has drawn volunteers from the local community, including 36-year-old Caerau resident Alice Clarke, who has participated in the CAER Project for five years.
"It's really fascinating. We've found a lot of quartz here so far," Clarke said. "I will also work at the CAER Heritage Centre after the dig, cleaning all the finds that come in big bags.
"I love doing it. It's given me confidence - it's nice to get out and meet friends."
Hannah Secker, 19, who recently completed her A Levels and plans to study archaeology and ancient history at university, described the atmosphere as "quite exciting".
The teenager said: "I had no archaeological experience before coming here, and it's been great to speak to students about their degrees.
"It's unbelievable finding artefacts that could be 3,000 years old and thinking about the people that have walked on this ground before us."
Cardiff West Community High School is just metres from the site. Headteacher Mike Tate said: "As a school, we see real value with our links with this project.
"Our pupils learn about the history of the area in which they live and they, literally, get their hands on the past.
"The experiences through the project bring subjects in school to life and can ignite engagement for our pupils. We are really pleased to continue this work."
Most Read
