Penycloddiau Hillfort on the Clwydian Range is one of the most visited Iron Age hillforts in the area and during May walkers on the site near Llangwyfan will get the chance to see an archaeological excavation taking place.
The excavation is part of the Heather and Hillforts Project and it is taking place to record archaeological information before it is lost through erosion. The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail runs right through the centre of the hillfort and many people walk along this each year. A small mound at the northern end of the fort in particular is being worn away. Excavations last year showed that this may be a Bronze Age burial mound about 4000 years old. The work this year will see a larger excavation to record the mound and with luck show that it is an ancient burial mound, prior to its reconstruction.
Visitors will get the chance to see the excavation and meet archaeologists from the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust who are carrying out the work. There will be a series of guided walks which will take place on May 17th, 18th and 20th, and will give information about life on the hillside 2500 years ago as well as an opportunity to meet the archaeologists!
Walks will begin at Coed Llangwyfan car park (SJ 139668) and will be led by the Hillfort Conservation Officer Samantha Williams, who commented, “These guided walks will give visitors the chance to learn more about the history of the hillfort, see an excavation taking place and meet the archaeologists carrying out the work.”
The guided walks will last approximately two hours. They will begin at 10:45am on Sunday May 17th and 2pm on Monday 18th and Wednesday 20th and there is no need to book. The excavation work is weather dependent.
The three year Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme is developing a £2.3 million initiative for upland conservation work and has received a grant of £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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