Workers on the Urdd National Eisteddfod site in Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion got more than they bargained for this week as they were digging to lay a pipe for the youth festival which begins on Monday, 31st of May. Work on the site came to a halt when workers found, what is believed to be medieval remains buried six inches under the Eisteddfod Maes.
“As workers were digging a hole to lay a pipe, they came across two ditches believed by experts to be either a ditch surrounding the remains of a small hamlet or medieval drove way,” said Aled Siôn, Director of the Urdd National Eisteddfod. “Naturally, work came to a halt and we had to change our plans pretty quickly and no pipes will be laid in that part of the Maes so as not to disturb the remains.
“While the find meant we had to down tools for a short while, we’re still on course to have the Maes ready for the festival in plenty of time,” he added.
Dr Martin Bates from the University of Wales Lampeter was working on an excavation nearby on behalf of the National Trust and, as part of an outreach project involving Ysgol Ciliau Parc, Ciliau Aeron and the history of the Aeron valley over 400 million years.
“This latest discovery fits the medieval landscape of this part of the valley which dates back around 600 or 700 years,” said Dr Bates. “It adds another dimension to the picture we’re putting together of the rural activity which took place here long before the Llanerchaeron house was built.
“As part of the outreach project we’ve been looking at rocks and rivers in the area and pupils from Ysgol Ciliau Aeron have recorded their work in posters which will be displayed at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David stand at the Eisteddfod. We’ll also be excavating during the festival in one corner of the Caravan Park where we know there is an ancient encloseur around a roundhouse or other feature and Eisteddfodwyr are welcome to come and see the dig.”
The Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held in Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion between 31 May and 5 June. 100,000 visitors and 15,000 competitors are expected to flock to the festival later this year, which is a celebration of the Welsh language and culture as well as the wealth of young talent in Wales today.
