Archaeological Survey, Research and Training Excavation at Caer Alyn.
A Preliminary Study and Research Design.
Non Technical Summary
This paper presents proposals for a fully integrated archaeological survey of the
archaeology and historic environs within an area known as Caer Alyn, in Gresford near
Wrexham, northeast Wales. (NGR. SJ 333 541).
The project will consist of three elements; a desk based assessment of archive records,
survey field work, a topographical survey of a series of earthworks situated within the
study area, complimented by geophysical prospection. Finally, excavation, in the form of
evaluation trial trenching followed when required by open area excavation. Moreover,
archaeological survey and excavation will be carried out by a group of volunteers from
the Caer Alyn Archaeological Heritage Project under the supervision of a professional
archaeologist.
The site encompasses a large area in acreage and is a multi featured and multi period site,
situated, in the main, on open farmland. A number of previous investigations have taken
place ranging from casual field walking, through limited trial trenching, to a controlled
metal detecting survey to geophysics. At present a small open area excavation is on
going in order to examine the extent and condition of a dry stonewall feature located to
the south east of the tumulus a possible round barrow (see figures below). This limited
excavation has yielded no discernable information as to the function or date of the dry
stonewall and pebbled area. Nevertheless, preliminary analysis of finds from the topsoil
suggests possible Roman-British activity, however, the finds were not found within
sealed layers thus datable evidence would therefore prove inconclusive.
1
The current work on the site including survey and excavation, will contribute valuable
additional data concerning the origins, character and economy of the site in terms of
continuation of occupation within Caer Alyn. It will also inform future decisions
concerning the appropriate conservation and public interpretation of the site.
On-going excavation of dry-stone wall
Photo. A. Hanna
Site Location and description
The site lies within a number of fields and centres on National Grid Reference SJ 333 541
(Fig. 1). The extent of the archaeological area within the field boundaries is
approximately 200,000m2. The archaeological area lies between the new Llay Road
(B5425) to the northwest and Pont y Capel Lane to the southeast. The site appears to be
an island of historic landscape within a sea of modernity.
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Planning Background
The project falls outside the remit of PPG16, however the land on which excavation is
ongoing is under the guidance of the Caer Alyn Archaeological and Heritage Project,
therefore permission for the majority of the area is guaranteed. The fieldwork will be led
by CAAHP under guidance from project archaeologist Anthony Hanna (MPhil, AIFA).
All fieldwork will be for the purposes of research, training and public archaeology.
Brief Archaeological and Historical Background
Much of the historical background information on the site can be found within CAAHPs
own Archaeological and historical investigation, first interim report (Rogers A, Et al,
2006). A brief summary of the archaeological information is as follows.
A trawl of the local Sites and Monuments Record has revealed 6 main areas of
archaeological interest to the project.

Bryn Alyn wall and ditch.

Bryn Alyn Round Barrow (SAM DE59).

Bryn Alyn Promontory Fort (SAM DE57).

Pont y Capel place name.

Wilderness Mill.

Watts Dyke.
Project Aims and Objectives: Research Framework
The aims of the project can be divided into seven broad categories: -
1
To produce a report that can offer mitigation strategy for future use of the land at
Caer Alyn for historical, environmental and educational activities deemed
necessary by the CAAHP management team.
2
To research various themes concerning changing patterns in Pre historic,
Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval, outlining continued occupation
and the development of the historic landscape.
3
3
To survey, where possible, earthworks and standing remains within the proposed
area, utilizing modern archaeological techniques and guidance.
4
To develop and assess archaeological survey techniques for the purpose of future
archaeological survey and excavation – to offer recommendations for further
work.
5
To train and develop members of CAAHP in all aspects of modern
archaeological practice, with a view to producing field work in line with current
IFA procedures (IFA, 2001).
6
To ultimately produce a gazetteer and cartographic survey, which would establish
a basic distribution of archaeological sites within the immediate area of Caer
Alyn.
7
To enhance the sites and monuments record which is the basis for the
management and curation of the archaeological resources within the region.
The above framework is an objective that can be adhered to throughout the life of the
project and beyond. To achieve the above criteria, 3 main research aims must be tackled,
however point (a) must be completed prior to continuing points (b) and (c).
a. A full analysis of all existing archaeological records and recording
methodology must be undertaken prior to any further work. To re evaluate
existing recording methodologies and to catalogue existing archaeological
records and finds. Re examining on going excavation and survey using
current IFA guidelines.
b. An overview of the context of the archaeology at Caer Alyn. This can be
achieved by producing a definitive site grid located to the Ordnance Survey,
including the provision of (TBMs) temporary benchmarks transferred from
known datum’s, when possible. The site grid can then be used to set up a
series of topographical surveys mapping, when possible, in chronological
order all perceived archaeological sites within proposed area. This survey can
be enhanced by selective geophysical prospection, field walking and
controlled metal detecting.
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c. Desk based analysis of archive records in order to map and interpret the
archaeological and historic landscape of Caer Alyn. Thus creating

An aerial photographic record

A cartographic record

Historic documentary record

Archaeological record – based on information obtained from the
SMR, CADAW, CPAT and CAAHP.
Only when all 3 research aims are tackled can further archaeological research, apart
from the dry stonewall site, be carried out through evaluation and open area excavation.
The above methodology will undoubtedly enhance the projects ability to pin point areas
of future archaeological research and excavation.
Community & Public Archaeology.
Introduction
The archaeological heritage that is prevalent throughout the Welsh countryside can be
recognised in all its varied forms by both the historian and the archaeologist. In libraries
documentary information abounds, the Domesday Book is but one important example. To
the historian, as well as textual evidence, cartographic sources provide a picture of our
historic past. A way in which historians and archaeologists can help re-create the
medieval landscape is through the synthesis of map and textual materials. However, this
picture remains fragmented only until the field archaeologists have had their say.
This project, therefore, hopes to enhance our knowledge regarding the dichotomy
between Pre Historic, Romano-British, medieval and post medieval landscape and the
constant change within the rural, agricultural heartlands of northeast Wales through
archaeological survey. Therefore, providing an important insight regarding the
continuation of human occupation imbued within the landscape of the countryside, and
the physical transformation of that landscape engendered by human activity over two
millennia.
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The proposed area of Caer Alyn, near Wrexham is perhaps perfect for the archaeological
surveyor insofar as it yields numerous archaeological, historic and environmental features
that have remained part of the local landscape virtually untouched. It is with this in mind,
that an integrated archaeological survey of the proposed area - encompassing possible
Iron Age, Bronze Age, Romano-British features, medieval earthworks and field systems
and the remains of a watermill - would add considerably to our knowledge of historic
Wales. Moreover, the survey would give some indication as to how a rural population
utilized technologies and natural resources that brought about a gradual yet sustained
change in the landscape that can still be recognised today.
An investigation and analysis concerning the changing pattern in the rural landscape in
this part of Wales through archaeological survey and desk based assessment of archive
records, is regarded as the central theme of this study. To chart the evolution of the
historic landscape around Caer Alyn, by collecting and disseminating evidence of
continued human activity, will increase our knowledge regarding the distribution of
archaeological sites within the proposed area. Furthermore, it will add to our
understanding of the historic environs of the area in and around Caer Alyn. This would
therefore go some way to preserving the archaeological heritage inherent within the
landscape of Caer Alyn for future generations to enjoy.
Regional Overview
From Domesday to the advent of the industrial revolution the area of Wales north and
east of Wrexham was sparse regarding historical knowledge, as well as in population. A
boarder- land, close to the region of the Welsh Marches, much of northeast Wales emitted
a wild and un-tamed persona. Cultivation of the land was negligible given the un-yielding
landscape heading westwards towards the Welsh hinterland. Yet, the arable farming
already in existence was commensurate of small settlements dotted around the ebullient
Alyn and it’s tributaries.
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The prime concern is to focus upon the small and probably more isolated of northeast
Wales’ Pre historic settlements. The Hill Forts, Burial Mounds, deserted medieval
villages and moated sites with their attendant dovecotes, farms and watermills, together
they comprise the minutiae of early occupation. Moreover, the search for evidence
concerning earlier archaeological features within the landscape, through community
archaeological initiatives, would elaborate upon the debate regarding the continuation of
occupation within the proposed area.
Historic towns in northeast Wales abound Wrexham, Llangollen, Chirk and Oswestry
(now part of England), to name but a few. However, relatively little is known of the
medieval hinterland of northwest Wales, and on-going surveys have barely scratched the
surface of the latent archaeological potential of the area. The environs of Caer Alyn
remain largely untouched by the hand of modernity. Such a situation would provide the
impetus for landscape archaeologists, industrial archaeologists and historians to examine
the multifarious forms of extant evidence, before modernity eventually triumphs.
The area of research that the project would like to enhance, is primarily concerned with
an overview of the potential of this part of northeast Wales archaeological heritage. As
archaeologists, by bringing together the many and varied aspects of the agricultural and
semi-urban landscape within the parish of Gresford and Llay, from the Neolithic/Bronze
Age periods to the Post-Medieval period, we would be creating a valuable template on
which historians could build. Thus, this particular part of the Welsh historic legacy will
be recorded for further study. Added to the knowledge gained from excavations in towns
such as Wrexham and Oswestry, for example, such research could ultimately prove
invaluable.
An Archaeological Overview - the future
‘At Domesday, settlement had already been thick in the prime arable regions, and it was
these old ‘fielded’ communities which would remain in the thirteenth century, as they
were to do again during the next period of major population expansion under the Tudors,
relatively unaffected by new settlement’ (Platt, 1994,p42).
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Much of the present make-up of the Welsh landscape could be said to have its origins in
the Iron Age leading to the medieval period – continuing from Domesday to the Tudors.
In many parts of the Welsh borderland, traces of ridge and furrow, ancient hedgerows and
drove ways speak volumes for the industry and husbandry of the ancient past. However,
archaeological features such as earthworks and mounds sometimes translated as forts,
burial sites, moated sites and deserted medieval villages provide a much more
quantifiable source regarding human activity in rural and semi-rural landscapes. The area
around Caer Alyn therefore, appears to contain features that adhere to the above, in terms
of access and research potential. The sites of particular archaeological interest are as
follows.
1
Barrow Mound.
2
Promontory Hill Fort.
3
Watermill Mill and Leet.
4
Medieval field systems.
5
Possible Romano-British features
6
Possible location of St. Leonard’s Chapel.
8
‘The development of archaeology in Britain has gone through three overlapping phases:
the first heroic phase of 1946-70; the Winchester experience from 1961 and
establishment of the units in the 1970s; and the spreading of the practice of developer
funding from about 1978. A forth stage was reached with the publication of the
government’s procedural note PPG16 in 1990, but the effect of this new thinking on the
conduct of archaeology has yet to be felt and is at present unknown’ (Schofield and
Vince, 1994,p1).
Since the early 1990s archaeology has been driven by PPG15, PPG16 and developer led
rescue excavation. Urban or rural, research on sites such as DMVs and Burial Mounds
and landscape surveys in general are nevertheless important insofar as they are not
developer led, and as such ad hoc and fragmentary. Therefore, it is increasingly important
that we examine and analyse, through community based archaeology what remains of the
historic landscape – in the form of earthworks and mounds – before it is consumed by
avaricious development and road building schemes.
Bibliography
Platt. C. A Social History and Archaeology from the Conquest to 1600AD. Routledge,
London, 1994.
Rogers. A. Et al. Caer Alyn. An Archaeological and Historical Investigation. First
Interim Report. Caer Alyn Archaeological Heritage Project, 2006.
The Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation. Institute of Field
Archaeologists, 2001.
Schofield. J. & Vince. A. Medieval Towns. Leicester University Press, London, 1994.
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