An ARCHAEOLOGICAL society and charity have surpassed their target for the biggest community project of its kind in Wales.

Aberystruth History and Archaeology group, which is a registered charity, have spent the past few years working on the Cwmcelyn Hidden Landscape project, which was launched in 2016 and aimed to survey and record 25 archaeological sites in the Cwmcelyn Valley and surrounding areas.

The four-year project, funded by Heritage Lottery, has already uncovered 305 sites, with the society recently focusing on Red Ash East, in Blaina.

The society’s founder and secretary, Ian Fewings, explained: “Red Ash East is a level right on the edge of our project, which we previously knew very little about.

“We’ve found out about Red Ash East between 1925 and 1949, which was a mining site.

“Red Ash East is in the southern end of the area, but in a different area we’ve discovered Bronze Age archaeology.

“We’ve found a Bronze Age circle, ring cairn, what we think is a Bronze Age burial ground, and a Bronze Age standing stone, which had toppled over.

“We’ll be excavating on them next year.”

The Cwmcelyn Hidden Landscape project is the biggest community project of its kind to happen in Wales and has had some notable figures come to meet the society.

Most recently, Her Royal Majesty Princess Anne visited, with other visitors including: the High Sheriff of Gwent Sharon Linnard, Nick Smith MP, Alun Davies AM, among others.

“They were all fascinated by the archaeology up there; they couldn’t believe how much is in such a small area,” added Mr Fewings.

“People thought that, during the Middle Ages, there wasn’t a lot happening in the area. We found 120 medieval sites, just in a small area, so it was very active place back then."

Aberystruth History and Archaeology group will focus on Red Ash East until the end of the month, then they will be investigating the top end of the valley.

To find out more about the society visit: www.aberystruthhas.wixsite.com/historyarchaeology