u/dustyarchaeology

I had the idea to create a form of organic food court area associated with the stalls. Despite the limitations in decorations you can come up with some unusual combinations and make stuff work.

For instance you can create a table and chair arrangement using an unbacked bench and two garden benches with a parasol in the middle.

Been a while since I've had so much fun with a game to be honest, really enjoying this

A site I researched a few years back now, having found it during COVID lockdown. It hadn't been previously recorded and is assumed to be a late prehistoric to Romano British in date.

An absolute monster - approximately 500m long by 300m wide. Geophysical work shows a significant number of anomalies indicative of potential unrecorded archaeology.

I am currently doing a PhD investigation of unrecorded sites on Anglesey. By utilising pan-landscape analysis utilising crop mark and LiDAR imaging I am attempting to find unrecorded sites of potential archaeological interest. All sites that are discovered have been reported to Heneb Gwynedd's HER and RCAHMW records respectively to aid in the recording, preserving and understanding of Wales' past. All artefacts from the site have been deposited in the local museum, Oriel Môn, with landowner permission.

This particular enclosure was visible on Bing satellite imaging until recently near Llanfwrog on the Anglesey coast. It had not been previously recorded and measured roughly 50m wide by 70m long. A geophysical survey of the site identified several anomalies of interest within its interior, including evidence of a possible sub rectangular building within its interior, with an associated central hearth. Other anomalies include a possible small outbuilding, pit anomalies and a drainage ditch seen at the top of the geophysical results and cropmark image.

Desk Based analysis suggests something ancient was here, and was recognised as such by the locals of the area. A nearby field name from the 19th century tithe map is recorded 'cae i gastell' (field to the castle). The 'castell' placename is recorded across the island and is sometimes associated with extant earthworks and archaeological remains - examples include the Neolithic henge at Castell Bryn Gwyn and the Early Medieval ringwork of Castell Crwn near Llanfairynghornwy. Despite this there is no surviving folklore associated with the site, and no records have survived of antiquarian investigations taking place here.

Its polygonal shape is unusual for the area as these types of site are found on the eastern Anglesey coast. Sites such as these are normally associated with Iron Age to Romano British defended settlements. However no Roman period artefactual material can be found on the site at all. Instead two separate periods of activity were recorded: the first being the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age periods, evidenced by worked lithic material which include a disc scraper and incomplete arrowhead.

Of interest to us, however, is the discovery of a pendant whetstone and a spindle whorl. These finds are suggestive of a site dating between the 9th to 12th centuries AD. Discussion with a representative of the RCAHMW led them to tentatively suggest an early medieval date, possibly a farmstead or some form of elite dwelling.

If this is indeed the case then this would be a significant discovery - Wales' archaeological record has very few recorded sites from this period. Three can be found on Anglesey itself - the nationally significant Viking trading post at Llanbedrgoch (9th to 12th century AD); a small sub rectangular enclosure at LlanfairPG (late 11th to 12th century AD) and a Viking Age promontory fort at nearby Trefadog (1tth to 12th century AD). These sites were argued by George Smith (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, now Heneb Gwynedd) to have been constructed at a time of great political and social upheaval in the political structure of the Kingdom of Gwynedd at this time, reflective of the increasing pressures of Viking and Norman incursion / invasions into the region.

I believe that this site might be the residence of one of the members of the Fifteen Tribes of Gwynedd, Llywarch ap Bran. Philip Yorke, a 17th century antiquarian, wrote about the families and mentioned Llywarch's connection to the area. He was a member of Owain Gwynedd's court and was argued to have flourished c.1137, although his exact birth and death dates are unknown. Alternatively, the site could belong to either his father, Bran, or his grandfather.

Llywarch ap Bran descendents would eventually move towards the southwest corner of the island in the Hundred of Menai. Of these individuals the most notable was Hugh Hughes of Plas Coch (c.1548-1609), a prominent landowner, Sheriff and MP for Anglesey.

As part of my PhD research I've been looking at a painting done by Welsh artist Kyffin Williams (1918-2006) of a possible standing stone near an 18th century windmill in the centre of the island.

No trace of the stone can be seen today, having been removed at some point after 1955, the year it was believed Kyffin painted the piece. Aside from his painting there is no record at all of the stone anywhere: the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales make no such reference to it; no local history/'antiquarian' society journals reference it nor are there any photos/local legends about a stone on the site. To date the painting is the *only* known reference to it.

Kyffin was an interesting sort. He had an interest in the past and of the people of Anglesey. He did several paintings of megalithic tombs in his life, and designed the logos for both Oriel Mon and Geomon - the geological society of Anglesey. However there was always the question as to whether this stone was a piece of artistic licence in the painting, as features in it differ greatly to what can be seen today.

I did a geophysical survey of the field as part of my research. It shows a possible pit anomaly where the stone was, along with other anomalies of assumed archaeological origin. But the question was always 'where did the stone go? ', was it broken up?

Well the farmer mentioned a large stone in the field immediately south on its side. Upon further investigation and discussion with colleagues we believe it is a standing stone of prehistoric date, although it's link to 'Maen Kyffin' as we call it (the Kyffin stone) is tenuous. It is based on the point visible on one end of the stone similar to the painting, as well as evidence of 'keeling' at its base, a technique described by Aubrey Burl as a characteristic of Bronze Age standing stone monuments found elsewhere in Britain. It's size is right for a stone as well, as it would have stood over 1.8m in height.

It was said in the 19th century a family squatted in the surviving chambered tomb on the right! The monuments form part of an unusual tradition on Anglesey of 'long graves' comprising of several megalithic chambered tombs in sequence. This is but one site, and includes others such as Din Dryfol, Trefignath, Hendrefor and Plas Newydd.

Edit: well that's annoying, the image didn't attach to the OP! I've added it as a comment below, apologies!

Edit x2: It works now, odd!

An unusual sight - these two large stones can be found in the churchyard in Llangernyw, Conwy in North Wales. Nearby is an inscribed cross stone of Early Medieval date. It is assumed they are prehistoric in date, although no archaeological excavation has ever been undertaken to verify this.

The churchyard is also famous for its yew tree, suggested to be at least 5,000 years old. Perhaps the tree was planted contemporaneously when these stones were first erected. Assuming they haven't been moved it shows the ritual significance of a site whose history may span from the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age to the present day.

Look at his terrifying presence and be afraid