Archaeology & History: A Guide to the Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park and Archaeology:

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has a statutory duty to conserve the landscape.  It employs a number of specialist staff including until recently an archaeologist. The national park plan recognises that archaeological remains are important evidence of the past life of the landscape and its relationship with the peoples tat have occupied it.  This applies not just to outstanding historical monuments such as castles or standing stones but to less obvious but equally significant landscape features such as patterns of field enclosure. The Brecon Beacons National Park contains an enormous variety of items of interests dating from prehistoric times through medieval times and including more recent evidence of the impact on our landscape of the Industrial Revolution.  There are some 3700 recorded sites of which 256 are protected as scheduled ancient monuments. The BBNPA shares responsibility for the conservation of scheduled ancient monuments with CADW which provides the main funding. Most of the conservation projects on archaeological remains carried out by the National Park are focused on the 256 scheduled ancient monuments.  This is partly because of their importance and partly because of the availability of funding which is provided by CADW. Such work would normally be carried out in partnership with one of the Archaeological Trust's whose area of responsibility includes part of the National Park designated area. in particular the national park has a crucial role in ensuring that no malicious or thoughtless damage  occurs to any such monument. 

The 520 sq miles of designated area within the national park contain a wide range of archaeological features. there are a number of Norman Cassells Norman Cassells and Roman hill for this have dotted throughout the national park reflecting the turbulent history earlier history of this locality

Prehistoric Archaeology:

The Cairns on Pen Y Fan and Corn Du

Llyn Y Fan Fach and Fawr

Mynydd Troed Long Cairn

Llangorse Lake    

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad

Mynydd Illtyd

Llanthony Priory & Valley

Craig Y Cilau

Pen Y Fan & Corn Du

Storey Arms

Maen Madoc & Maen Llia

Carn Goch Iron Age Hill Fort

Castles:

Carreg Cennen Castle

Castle Coch, Breconshire

Crickhowell Castle

Cwm Camlais Castle

Hay Castle

Llandovery Castle

Longtown Castle

Tretower Castle / Tretower Castle

Industrial Archaeology:

Cwm Clydach Gorge

Blaenavon World Heritage Landscape

Cyfarthfa Castle  For more information and opening times contact the Tourist Information Office, 14a Glebeland Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AU Tel: 01685-379884
Llangattock Escarpment

Roman Archaeology:
 
Pigwn Roman Marching Camps & Prehistoric Stone Circle Complex

Sarn Helen, Maen Madoc & Maen Llia

The Roman Army in Wales

Brecon Gaer Roman Fort / Pen y Crug Hill fort

Contacts and Further Information:
  
Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency, is a part of the National Assembly for Wales. Created in 1984, Cadw carries out the complete range of responsibilities for the conservation, presentation, and promotion of the built heritage of Wales
Crown Building, Cathays Park,  Cardiff CF1 3NQ tel 02920 500200 fax 02920 826375

Gwynedd Archaeological Trust
Craig Beuno, Ffordd Garth,
Bangor,
Gwynedd LL57 2RT
tel 01248 352535
fax 01248 370925

Countryside Council for Wales
Plas Penrhos,
Ffordd Penrhos,
Bangor,
Gwynedd LL57 2LQ
tel 01248 385500
fax 01248 385510

Brecknock Museum, Captains Walk, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7DW tel. 01874-624121 fax. 01874-611281Celtic crosses, a famous Dark Age Canoe, Welsh Love Spoons, Natural History and more

Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust
7A Church Street,
Welshpool,
Powys SY21 7DL
tel 01938 553670
fax 01938 552179

International Council
on Monuments & Sites

10 Barley Mow Passage
London W4 4PH
Tel: (0)181 994 6477
Fax: (0)181 747 8464
e mail: icomos-uk@icomos.org

National Museums and Galleries of Wales