Archaeologists discover unique Iron Age structures near Newport offering insights into ancient life.
Archaeologists worked near Newport. Dr. Martin Bell led the team, which came from St David’s College. They studied the site for three weeks.
They found old huts, a forest, and paths covered by peat near Goldcliff Point. Reaching it involved tricky mud and clay, as high tide always covered it.
Each day, slime covered their work, but the team still worked carefully. Discoveries included wooden walls, woven wattles, reed flooring, and animal bones. The stalls dated back to 200 BC.
Dr. Bell said the huts were unique, being rectangular and from that era. Usually, only post holes are found; however, here they found structures and environment clues, as well as beetles, seeds, and pollen.
The team hopes to learn about Iron Age life through lab analysis. They want to know the huts’ purpose, as the marshy land was “fen woodland.”
Dr. Bell said there was no hearth or pottery, so they don’t know if people lived there. The huts seemed too well-built for animals.
Derek Upton found the huts with Dr. Bell. They think more secrets exist there, since old paths led further into the channel.
Worldwide interest exists in the area. Experts worry about new projects, as barrages and airports could damage sites, and construction could also uncover sites.