Cyfarthfa Dig Unearths Possible Neolithic Remains

Merthyr Tydfil’s archaeological dig – intended to retrieve Roman remains – could have gone back even further, with workers unearthing part of what is thought to be a Neolithic era knife. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Within the first few days, finds include pottery believed to be from Roman and Medieval times, a clay pipe and pottery from the English Civil War period – and the intrepid explorers have also discovered what they think is the tip of a Neolithic knife. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Now officers from Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and The Glamorgan & Gwent Archaeological Trust are calling for volunteers to help them uncover even more hidden treasures in Cyfarthfa Park before the dig ends on September 4. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leisure Trust Chief Executive Richard Marsh said: “It’s early days, but what has been unearthed takes the history of Merthyr back over 2,000 years. The knife tip will have to be confirmed as Neolithic, but it reinforces previous artefacts found in the area which include Bronze Age axes. One very rare axe has been donated to the Museum and will be on display.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The excavations are taking place this week on Thursday and Friday (September 25 and 26) with a break over the Bank Holiday weekend, and resume next Tuesday, August 30, through to Sunday, September 4. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We’re pleased with the turnout of volunteers who are undertaking the dig under the supervision of archaeologists,” Richard Marsh added. “But we’re hoping to get even more to help us make lighter work of this very important task.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Volunteers can help out for a whole day or just half of it. They need to be at the Gwaelod-y-Garth entrance to the park for morning registration at 9:45am, or at 1.45pm in the afternoon. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tea and coffee are available, but people staying all day should bring food with them. Young people under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone needing wheelchair access or with special needs should contact Cyfarthfa Environment & Heritage Projects Officer Keith Prosser, tel 01685 725213; keith.prosser@merthyr.gov.uk ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​