IRON AGE FIND IS ‘BIGGEST EXPERTS HAVE SEEN’
STRUCTURE UNEARTHED EARLIER THIS MONTH THOUGHT TO BE 2,500 YEARS OLD
AHUGE Iron Age building has been unearthed following a recent excavation on a Gwynedd cliff edge.
The stone roundhouse understood to be more than 2,500 years old was discovered at Dinas Dinlle earlier this month.
The 13-metre structure is the biggest discovery ever seen by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust experts who are working on the site.
The excavation is the first to take place at the National Trust-owned hillfort, which could disappear within the next 50 years due to “increasing coastal erosion”.
Pieces of Roman pottery were also unearthed, suggesting the site was once occupied during the Roman period, or those living at or using the hillfort may have traded with the Romans.
Dan Amor of Gwynedd Archaeological Trust said the structure of “fantastic
quality” could have been home to an “important figure” during the Iron Age, which dates from around 750BC to 43AD.
He said: “We’re still investigating and recording the remains of the roundhouse but considering its size and build quality it may have been home to an important figure in the community – perhaps the chief or head of the village – or it could have been used as a space for community activities.”
The excavations are investigating climate change and its impact on the iconic coastal fort.
It is being funded by the Cherish project – investigating climate change and coastal heritage in Ireland and Wales – which is part of a European-funded Ireland-Wales 2014-2020 project.
Up to 50 volunteers have joined experts as part of the community dig to help with excavation and recording work.
Mr Amor added: “The community excavation has taken place over the last fortnight.
“An Iron Age roundhouse around 13 metres in diameter – one of the largest stone roundhouses we have seen – has been unearthed in one of the trenches closest to the eroding cliff edge.
“This is an unexpected prehistoric building of fantastic build quality.”
David Hopewell, a Senior Archaeologist at Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and site director of the excavation, added: “It’s probably the biggest one I’ve ever seen in 30 years of archaeology.”
Work on site is being run by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, along with the Royal Commission and Aberystwyth University.
National Trust archaeologist Kathryn Laws said: “We are delighted that Cherish and the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust have been able to complete the dig at Dinas Dinlle.
“The discovery of a substantial stone-built roundhouse is very exciting.
“The structure is wellpreserved and is likely to date to from the late Iron Age period.
“The excavation has provided us with the opportunity to learn more about this special place’s past and to better understand how climate change is affecting coastal heritage sites.”