This large-scale infrastructure project involved the upgrade and realignment of approximately 8 km of the A4226 (Five Mile Lane) in the Vale of Glamorgan. The scheme had significant potential to impact archaeological remains, with the proposed development located in a landscape rich in prehistoric, Roman, and post-medieval heritage.
Rubicon Archaeology were appointed as archaeological contractors for the project and carried out a comprehensive programme of geophysical survey, archaeological evaluation, excavation and watching briefs on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council. This work was undertaken with close collaboration with all stakeholders ensuring that all works were undertaken in line with planning policy and best practice. The initial survey highlighted three key areas along the route, with the evaluation adding an additional six. Extensive open-area excavation of these areas uncovered a wealth of nationally significant archaeological features spanning over 6,000 years of human activity.
Highlights included a scatter of Mesolithic flint, a Neolithic ritual landscape of pit alignments along with likely votive deposits. The Bronze Age was represented with four foci two enclosures, an isolated domestic building, as well concentrations of cremation burials. Three Iron Age settlements were located spanning the Early, Middle and Late Iron Age. One Iron Age settlement developed into a high-status Roman farmstead with associated fields and animal enclosures, which lasted until the end of the Roman period.
One unexpected find was the discovery of an extensive and long-lived Medieval cemetery containing over 400 burials dating from the end of the Roman period in the Fifth century until the Thirteenth century. This cemetery appears to have been associated with an assembly point possibly associated with a local saint. This assembly point also saw the highest concentration of corn-drying kilns recorded in Wales.
Post-medieval agricultural features and the industrial remains of a lime kiln and quarrying were also recorded. The most recent remain uncovered were structure associated with home-defence from the Second World War.
A summary of the results of the fieldwork are presented in a free, fully illustrated guide to the excavations and a detailed eBook. An interactive StoryMap has also been produced (see below), allowing users to explore the archaeology of Five Mile Lane through maps, images, and expert commentary. The full results form part of the publicly accessible regional Historic Environment Record and are also presented in an academic publication.