Volunteers Called On To Help Unearth More Of Merthyr Tydfil’s Roman Origins

Merthyr Tydfil’s credentials as an iron town stretching back 2,000 years to Roman times could be cemented over the next two weeks by an archaeological dig involving experts and the local community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There is already well-documented evidence of a Roman Army-constructed fort at Penydarren – built around AD75 – farm buildings, a fort, bathhouse, small cemetery and a central heating system under the old Merthyr Tydfil Athletics Club track and football ground. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

More recently, in 2015, local historian and metal detectorist Anthony ‘Shirley’ Thomas spotted unusual cropmarks on aerial photographs of the land surrounding Merthyr Tydfil, which were later confirmed to be possibly associated with Roman metal working. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Now, the Glamorgan & Gwent Archaeological Trust is appealing for volunteers to help them uncover more hidden treasures in Cyfarthfa Park in two digs between Monday, August 22 and Friday 26 and August 30- September 4. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The work is being carried out on behalf of Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, with the hope of finding some exciting remains to go on show at Cyfarthfa Castle. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leisure Trust Chief Executive Richard Marsh said: “The volunteers will undertake the dig under the supervision of archaeologists. They’ll hopefully help to unearth more of Merthyr Tydfil`s Roman past, perhaps finding artefacts that will go on future display and add a new chapter to Cyfarthfa Park’s story. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Rather excitingly, it now seems possible that Merthyr Tydfil’s origins as an iron town could stretch back some 2,000 years to the Roman period.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Chris Barry, Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s Portfolio Member for Regeneration, Planning & Countryside, said: We are looking forward to gaining a better understanding of our area’s history and we are excited that local people will be involved in the excavation”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dig volunteers will need old clothing, sun cream and a hat if it’s sunny and suitable clothing if it’s raining. Children and young people under 18 will must be supervised by an adult, so need to make suitable arrangements. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Volunteers should contact Rebecca Meredith on email rebecca.meredith@merthyrleisuretrust.co.uk to register their interest. The dig can accommodate those who require wheel chair access or who have any other special requirement or wheelchair access. Sessions will be between 10am and 12.30pm and 1.45pm to 4pm each day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​