Archaeologists to start excavating Powys Saxon site
Monday 9th August 2010, 10:01AM BST.
Archaeologists were today set to start an excavation on farmland in Powys that could unveil the first Saxon building to be found in Wales.
A team from Cambrian Archaeological Projects will spend a month excavating the site, which might be a rare fifth century Saxon hall or palace on farmland at Gaer Farm in Forden, near Welshpool.
Cambrian Archaeological Projects (CAP) will spend a month, from today, excavating the site and said if it was a Saxon building, it would be the first of its type in Wales to be unearthed.
Project leader Mark Houliston said: “The site was first identified in 1987, and aerial photographs dating back more than 50 years and preliminary excavations have revealed a post-Roman settlement. Large post holes, which would have formed the foundations for a large building, have also been discovered.
“It’s difficult to date the site. It is thought to be from the Saxon period, but it could be medieval or a Welsh settlement. We’re excited it’s a large building and post Roman, but until we excavate the site it’s hard to say for certain what it is and when it was built.”
He added: “There’s speculation it could be a Saxon long house or palace and if that’s the case it would be a significant find. ”
An open day will be held on August 30.
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