Black Mountains Archaeology

20/06/2026

20/06/2026

🪏 COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY AT PLAS GUNTER MANSION! 🏺☀️

What an incredible week!

Black Mountains Archaeology was delighted to work in partnership with Plas Gunter Mansion, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to deliver a week-long Community Archaeology Project in the heart of Abergavenny.

Over the course of the project we welcomed 150 school children and 60 adult volunteers, all helping to uncover the hidden history of Plas Gunter.

We were joined by Year 5 pupils from Our Lady & St Michael’s Primary School and Gilwern Primary School, together with Years 5 and 6 from King Henry VIII School. Participants enjoyed hands-on archaeological excavations, pottery illustration workshops, finds processing sessions and our specially designed historical treasure hunt around Abergavenny.

The excavation exceeded all expectations. Volunteers uncovered the remains of a long-forgotten kitchen wing associated with Plas Gunter Mansion, together with evidence for a long demolished cottage-type building and a brick-floored structure visible on early 20th century aerial photographs.

Hundreds of artefacts were recovered, including pottery, glass, animal bone, clay to***co pipes and other finds spanning over 800 years of local history. Volunteers then helped wash, sort and identify the discoveries, learning how archaeologists piece together stories from the past.

Among the week’s highlights were the discovery of two Bronze Age flint scrapers, evidence of activity on the site thousands of years before Plas Gunter was built.

And then, just when we thought the week couldn’t get any better, the archaeology delivered one final surprise. On Friday afternoon volunteers uncovered the southern ditch of the Roman road and recovered fragments of Roman Caerleon Ware pottery together with a possible Roman loom weight, providing exciting new evidence for Roman activity in the area.

More importantly than the discoveries themselves, the project brought together people of all ages to explore, learn and share in the excitement of uncovering the past. The fantastic weather, enthusiasm of the children and dedication of our volunteers made it a truly memorable week.

A huge thank you to:
👏 All of our school groups and teachers
👏 The 60 fantastic community volunteers
👏 The team at Plas Gunter Mansion Trust
👏 Our amzing team at Black Mountains Archaeology
👏 The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making the project possible

This has been a wonderful example of community archaeology at its very best, and we can’t wait to share more of the finds and results as the post-excavation work continues.

🏺🪏☀️

15/06/2026

What a fantastic first day at Plas Gunter Mansion!

Black Mountains Archaeology was delighted to welcome pupils from Our Lady & St Michael’s Primary School and King Henry VIII School as part of our Community Archaeology Project, delivered in partnership with Plas Gunter Mansion and funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The pupils took part in archaeological excavations, a pottery illustration workshop, and a historical treasure hunt around the Priory precinct, discovering the rich history hidden within the heart of Abergavenny.

The excavation proved particularly exciting, with the children uncovering hundreds of artefacts dating from the medieval, post-medieval and Victorian periods. From pottery and clay to***co pipe fragments to glass, brick, tile and animal bone, every find helped tell a story about the people who lived and worked here over the centuries.

It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, curiosity and teamwork throughout the day. For many of the children, it was their first experience of archaeology, and they embraced every opportunity to get hands-on with the past.

A huge thank you to all of the pupils, teachers, volunteers and staff who helped make the day such a success. We look forward to welcoming more schools and community participants throughout the week as we continue to uncover the hidden history of Plas Gunter Mansion.

10/06/2026

We're delighted to be working in partnership with Ymddiriedolaeth Plas Gunter Mansion Trust to deliver an exciting Community Archaeology Project as part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported restoration of Plas Gunter Mansion in the heart of Abergavenny.

This June, Black Mountains Archaeology is delighted to be working in partnership with Ymddiriedolaeth Plas Gunter Mansion Trust to deliver an exciting Community Archaeology Project as part of the N…

03/06/2026

We only have four places left on Friday 19 June for the Community Archaeology experience!

This is a fantastic opportunity to get directly involved in a real archaeological investigation at the rear of Plas Gunter Mansion. Participants will have the opportunity to help excavate, record and investigate our site.

We know that previous excavations have revealed a portion of a Roman road and post-Medieval finds, so this is your opportunity to find some treasure!

Sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18 and are completely free of charge to participants.

To read more, see our Community Archaeology Information Pack here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/9b47a1db-28c9-df58-db4e-3dd190993002/Community_Archaeology_Information_Pack.pdf

We may take photographs or video footage during the sessions, so please download and sign a photography and video consent form here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/fc220907-2f5a-6f77-ae6b-1e5efda33492/Plas_Gunter_photo_consent_form_adults_.pdf

If you would like to book a session or have any questions, please email [email protected]

This is in partnership with Black Mountains Archaeology.

02/06/2026

Huge thanks to Blaise First Aid Training for delivering brilliant workplace first aid training today! 🙂

28/05/2026

We’re delighted to be working with Plas Gunter Mansion Trust to deliver a hands-on Community Archaeology excavation in Abergavenny on 18–19 June 2026 🪏

This is a fantastic opportunity to get directly involved in a real archaeological investigation at the rear of Plas Gunter Mansion, a site where previous excavations have already uncovered evidence of a Roman road along with a range of Post-medieval finds.

Participants will have the opportunity to help excavate, record and investigate this fascinating historic site.

FREE full-day sessions are available on:
Thursday 18th June
Friday 19th June

The project is open to anyone aged 18+ and no previous archaeological experience is necessary.

More information can be found in the Community Archaeology Information Pack:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/9b47a1db-28c9-df58-db4e-3dd190993002/Community_Archaeology_Information_Pack.pdf

Please note that photographs and video footage may be taken during the excavation. Consent forms can be downloaded here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/fc220907-2f5a-6f77-ae6b-1e5efda33492/Plas_Gunter_photo_consent_form_adults_.pdf

To book a place or ask any questions, please contact:
📧 [email protected]

28/05/2026

Would you like to take part in a hands-on Community Archaeology experience taking place on 18 and 19 June 2026? 🪏

Plas Gunter Mansion Trust is working in partnership with Black Mountains Archaeology to host a Community Archaeology project at the rear of Plas Gunter.

We know that previous excavations have revealed a portion of a Roman road and post-Medieval finds, so this is your opportunity to find some treasure!

You can book a full-day session on either Thursday 18 June or Friday 19 June. Sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18 and are completely free of charge to participants.

To read more, see our Community Archaeology Information Pack here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/9b47a1db-28c9-df58-db4e-3dd190993002/Community_Archaeology_Information_Pack.pdf

We may take photographs or video footage during the sessions, so please download and sign a photography and video consent form here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c3a609022d5172c52e66079cf/files/fc220907-2f5a-6f77-ae6b-1e5efda33492/Plas_Gunter_photo_consent_form_adults_.pdf

If you would like to book a session or have any questions, please email [email protected]

09/05/2026

On this day in 1131, Tintern Abbey was founded, a place that would become one of the most iconic and atmospheric monastic sites in Wales.

Almost 900 years later, Black Mountains Archaeology has had the privilege of leading the first major archaeological excavations at the Abbey in over a century.

Across Phases I, II & III, our excavations uncovered extraordinary remains associated with the Romanesque and Gothic churches, medieval tile floors, lost buildings, and a remarkable range of burials, including high-status tombs, wooden coffins, and even a rare west-facing tear-drop shaped grave.

We are now finalising the post-excavation phase of the project, bringing together the archaeology, artefacts, environmental evidence and scientific analysis to better understand the people who lived, worshipped and were buried here over hundreds of years.

As part of this work, our brilliant illustrator Jessica Beth Fry has been producing a stunning series of finds illustrations, including these beautifully detailed drawings of medieval encaustic floor tiles and stained-glass window fragments recovered during the excavations.

These finds offer a rare glimpse into the colour, craftsmanship and decorative richness of the medieval abbey at its height.

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