Heatwave reveals lost archaeological sites across Wales

Heatwave reveals lost archaeological sites across Wales

Since mid-May, the eastern and north-eastern regions of Wales have experienced notably dry conditions, according to RCAHMW, while the western and southern parts of the country have remained relatively moist and lush. However, the intense heatwaves that hit in late June caused widespread damage to grasslands throughout Wales.

During this period, a variety of archaeological features have been revealed, spanning a wide historical range. These include prehistoric long barrows and forts, Roman structures, and even practice trenches from the First World War. The exposure of such monuments highlights the significance of recent environmental changes in uncovering hidden aspects of Welsh heritage.

The national archive for the Welsh historic environment has published photographs documenting discoveries made by aerial surveys conducted by Driver. These flights took place in June and July, departing from Haverfordwest and Caernarfon airports. The images capture the remarkable findings stemming from the cropmarks visible from above.

Driver commented on the challenges posed by the weather conditions throughout the year, explaining that persistent winds have complicated longer flights needed to record cropmarks. He noted that sometimes the cropmarks are highly conspicuous and easy to photograph, but in other areas the severe dryness has rendered them faint and difficult to discern. To address this, digital processing techniques are employed, adjusting the color balance to enhance the visibility of archaeological features, often producing striking black-and-white images that reveal previously unseen details

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