Excavation

Cardiff University and public volunteers began excavation of the Cosmeston Castle site in June and July 2008 as part of ongoing investigations into the nature of settlement at Cosmeston. Three trenches totalling nearly 90 square metres were opened up in the north east corner of the Dove Cote Field and located in response to previous archive research and landscape survey.

During the four weeks of excavation many exciting discoveries were made including the location of an ancient trackway likely to have been used for watering livestock in the nearby Sully Brook, a section of wall possibly related to the building known as Cosmeston Castle, and previous trenches from the Glamorgan Gwent Trust excavations during the1980s. Interesting finds included a metal knife, quantities of Medieval pottery and animal bone, and two Prehistoric quern (grinding) stones possibly used in the structure of the later building.

Over 2000 visitors came along to learn more about Cosmeston and the excavations, and over 40 public volunteers of all ages gave their time, skill and enthusiasm to the project – many thanks!


Students and volunteers, Trenches 1 & 2, Dovecote Field
Image © Cardiff University


Students and volunteers, Trench 3, Dovecote Field
Image © Cardiff University

Following on from the successful 2008 season, investigations got underway again this year with the excavation of a trial trench on the Manor House site (east), in preparation for larger excavations planned for the summer. Students and public volunteers worked for 3 days to investigate the stratigraphy of the site and discovered a section of wall and associated debris.
A copy of the report is available to view or download: Cosmeston 2009 Manor House site (east trench) (doc 29kb)

There were also over 800 visitors to the Medieval Village on Sunday March 1st (St. David’s Day) many of whom came to see the dig!

  
Both images: students and volunteers, Trench 4, Manor House site (east)
Image © Cardiff University

During April 2009 a geophysical landscape survey using resistivity equipment will take place on the Dove cote field to the west of the site to discover more about the archaeology that may lie beneath the ground surface, and to inform future investigations.