heritage Research
Collaboration with the University of Wales Trinity St. David’s Sacred Landscapes of Medieval Monasteries research project.
Activities include:
• Investigation of the historic boundary of the Manor of Gollon (Gollon being the old name for Abbeycwmhir) using township and hundred boundaries
• Establishment of the historic townships of St. Harmon
• Examining St. Garmon as a potential ‘clas’ church of the early medieval period, only the third in Radnorshire
• Mapping the boundaries of Gollon and Cefn Pawl, including townships, hundreds and the sheep walks
• Photogrammetry over an upland farm (Cwmffrwn)
• Mapping historic land use as recorded in the Tithe survey c.1840
• Interpretation of the Surveyor’s map of 1817 and the Enclosure maps
• Accessing the extensive archive of Thomas Wilson, previous owner of Abbeycwmhir Hall, located in Australia
• Development of a QGIS geographical information system, click here
Sacred Landscapes and Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust held a very successful field school at Cwmffwrn Farm in September 2020.
Since then we have continued investigations including
- Surveying hafod sites and house platforms
- Surveying at Gelynen, Llanerch-Dirion and Cwmffwrn
- Photogrammetry
- Investigation of field boundaries
Our future plans include
- Geophysical survey of potential approach chapel sites near Llwyn Onn
- Investigation of earthwork sites at Maesgwalod and Croesdu, St. Harmon
- Investigation of neolithic sites on the upland around Upper Cwmhir
- Further study of hafod sites
- Further study of potential house platforms
- Possible small-scale excavation at Llanerch-Dirion
Outputs
- In the short term it is proposed to complete an interim paper for publication in the late spring
- Longer term detailed reports and publications on aspects of the on-going research
- Authorship will be in collaboration with Sacred Landscapes
