Location map of sites at Cwmffwrn. Many thanks to Mike Powell for transcribing the tithe basemap.
Red circle = geophysics
Red star = excavation
Green dot = field survey
Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust has been studying the landscape history and archaeology of Cwmffwrn farm, in the Home Grange of Cwmhir Abbey, since 2020.
This has included field surveying, geophysics and a number of archaeological excavations.
Jemma Bezant lead a field school in 2020, described by Jemma here.
The background to the area is described in a paper published in Archaeology in Wales in 2022 (Vol 61)
As part of a grant from Welsh Council for Voluntary Action in 2021 we were able to conduct geophysical surveys at a number of locations thought to be farmsteads or hafod sites. These surveys are described here.
In 2021 we also conducted an excavation at Llanarch-dirion, a farmstead with an associated field system and discovered the remains of a ‘beast house’.
During 2021-2022 we excavated a farmstead location at Old Cwmffwrn (called Cwm Ffwrn farmstead on the map above) and also surveyed the remains of a building at Gelynen. The excavations at Llanarch-dirion and Old Cwmffwrn are described here.
Our surveys of Gelynen, Llanarch-dirion and Cwm Ffwrn farmstead were included in Archaeology of Wales gazetteer in Vol 62 (2023). Cwmffwrn in Arch in Wales v62
In 2023 we began the excavation of a house platform (called Cwm Ffwrn platform IV), under the supervision of Trysor Archaeological Services. We were supported by a LocalGiving grant in 2023 and a Cohesive Communities Levelling Up grant in 2024. The excavations at this site in 2023 and 2024 are described here, with links to a video of the excavation and a recording of an on-line talk about the excavation results given by Trysor.
We are very excited that in 2025 we will be able to continue our excavation of this intriguing house platform. Our plans and how you can get involved are described here.