PREVIEW

Welsh archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a major Roman villa that’s being dubbed ‘Port Talbot’s Pompeii’.

The discovery was made by ArchaeoMargam, a partnership between Swansea University’s Centre for Heritage Research and Training (CHART), Neath Port Talbot Council and Margam Abbey Church.

Experts say the site has the potential to transform understanding of the Romano-British period in south Wales.

Researchers identified the remains after geophysical surveys carried out by Llandough-based company Terradat revealed the outline of a large and well-preserved Roman villa complex.

Project lead Dr Alex Langlands, associate professor and co-director of CHART, said: “This is an amazing discovery. We always thought that we’d find something dating to the Romano-British period, but we never dreamed it would be so clearly articulated and with so much potential in terms of what it can tell us about the elusive first millennium AD here in South Wales.

“Margam is famous for its nationally significant monuments and for having evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Medieval and Post-Medieval heritage. But we knew practically nothing about what was going on in the Romano-British period. This is the missing piece of the puzzle.

“It is too early to speculate about the date range of the building, its architectural features, who constructed it, and how it fell out of use. But from the geophysical survey alone we can start to build hypotheses about how important this site could be and what it can tell us about Margam’s long-term role in the social, cultural, and economic developments across the first millennium in Wales.”

Initial analysis suggests the villa sat within a defended enclosure measuring about 43 metres by 55 metres. Archaeologists believe this may relate to an earlier Iron Age settlement or reflect insecurity in the later Roman period.

A large aisled structure to the south-east of the villa has also been identified. Researchers say it could have been an agricultural building or possibly linked to later, post-Roman use of the site.

Dr Langlands added: “One thing can be concluded, Margam, a place that may even have lent its name to the historic region of Glamorgan, is one of the most important centres of power in Wales, with its geographical location placing it firmly at the gateway between the rugged upland terrain of western Wales and the fertile Vale to the east.”

Terradat technical director Christian Bird said the quality of the survey results was exceptional.

He said: “The surveys went exceptionally well, and the high-resolution magnetometry and GPR data are remarkably clear, identifying and mapping in 3D the villa structure, surrounding ditches and wider layout of the site.”

Alongside the surveys, ArchaeoMargam has carried out excavations on land to the west of Margam Abbey Church, engaging more than 900 people including school pupils, members of the Young Archaeologist Club, volunteers and students from Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges and Swansea University.

Council education officer and Young Archaeologist Club leader Harriet Eaton said: “This opportunity turned history into a real-life adventure for our members, allowing them to gain practical experience beyond the classroom and making archaeology both tangible and fun.”

Margam Abbey Church has also played a central role in the project.

Church warden Beverley Gulley said: “As the only nave of a Cistercian Abbey to survive the Dissolution and still be in use as a church today, Margam Abbey Church is a monument of unique importance to the region. This is a deeply spiritual landscape and one that we are keen to know more about in partnership with people from across the region.”

Further details of the discovery, including updates on the Roman villa, will be shared at a free open day at Margam Abbey Church on Saturday, 17 January.