Timeline: The Archaeology of the South Wales Pipeline

The construction of a natural gas pipeline across south Wales and into England resulted in numerous archaeological discoveries, including sites of national significance. The project also generated important radiocarbon and environmental datasets for the region.

The earliest activity is indicated by worked flint of Mesolithic (or earlier) date. Ensuing Neolithic communities were represented by pits, evidence for occasional timber houses, and the discovery of a previously unknown henge. Beaker and Bronze Age settlement and burial remains were found too, including a rare copper halberd. Early Bronze Age houses and numerous burnt mounds were further revealed.

Much new evidence for Iron Age settlement (including areas of upland), Roman roads, crop-processing ovens, and ironworking was found. Rare evidence for the Early medieval period was present as well, along with the remains of later farmsteads and field systems. Moves towards industrialisation in South Wales were reflected in the discovery of a brick kiln and charcoal-burning platforms.