Project
Cardiff University School of History and Archaeology is working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council on an exciting new project to increase community awareness and access to learning about Cosmeston Medieval Village and the surrounding area.

The project aims to ensure that the community can investigate, learn and take pride in this unique site and its surroundings which are of significant historical and archaeological interest. This will be achieved through an innovative programme of hands-on experience and learning opportunities sensitive to the needs of the community.

Please visit our archaeological finds, excavation and landscape survey pages to find out more about our recent investigations.


Project launch 22nd March 2007 (Chris Fray, Professor John Hines, Jane Stewart & Nick Coles)
© Vale of Glamorgan Council/Cardiff University Archaeology


Community Archaeology at Cosmeston
Current interpretation of the site at Cosmeston includes guided tours of the reconstructed Medieval village site by costumed interpreters, and a series of re-enactment and event weekends throughout the year e.g. Medieval Easter, Medieval Fair and a Medieval Welsh Rebellion. Guided tours and an education pack are also available to local schools. It is hoped that by assessing the unpublished archaeological archive, carrying out further investigations and applying for funding, it will be possible to increase community access to interpretation of the site and involvement in the process of learning through archaeology. By involving the local community in project development and choice of learning style from the outset it is anticipated that the project will sensitively fulfil community needs and lead to increased community pride in local heritage. The project seeks to be innovative, inclusive and sustainable from its inception, and seeks to provide an interesting archaeological interpretative model for further study.

The Community Archaeologist/Project Officer for the Cosmeston site is currently employed by Cardiff University School of History and Archaeology as part of their commitment to Innovation and Engagement with the local community.


Staff
The Community Archaeologist for the project is Jane Stewart BA (Hons) MA (Dip) AIFA, a Cardiff University graduate who has worked for community archaeology projects in the Midlands and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. She is currently a postgraduate of Leicester University.


Other staff
Professor John Hines of Cardiff University School of History and Archaeology

Mr Nick Coles - Cosmeston Medieval Village Manager:
Born and educated in Cardiff, Nick is an Archaeology graduate of Leicester University and also has postgraduate qualifications in Environmental Studies and Heritage Management, from Cardiff and Birmingham Universities respectively.
He is an experienced archaeologist and has worked in the Golan Heights for the Israel Antiquities Authority, as archaeological supervisor with the Ironbridge Trust, and as project manager for the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust at Cosmeston. He has also excavated at Usk and Monmouth. Currently lecturing for Cardiff University Lifelong Learning, the Workers Education Association and the University of the Third Age, Nick is also involved in interpretive re-enactment from the Ancient Greek to Victorian periods


Other partners
Council for British Archaeology

Portable Antiquities Scheme


Contact
If you would like further information, or would like to know how you can become involved with community archaeology at Cosmeston, then please contact the Project Officer:

Jane Stewart
Community Archaeologist - Cosmeston Project
Cardiff School of History and Archaeology
Cardiff University
Humanities Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff CF10 3EU

email: stewartj3@cardiff.ac.uk

tel: +44(0)2920 870403