Archaeological discovery of ‘national significance’ made in Beaumaris during flats development

Monumental archaeological features of “national significance” have been uncovered during work to develop six flats in Beaumaris.

A lost medieval defensive wall and ditch – built in the era of Owain Glyndwr – and scores of artefacts relating to Anglesey life over hundreds of years have been recovered from Steeple Lane.

They came to light during archaeological work amid a development by Anglesey County Council on the site of a former sports and social club.

The full extent of the finds has been revealed in a report by CR Archaeology shared as part of a council planning document last week.

The scheme to provide affordable homes gave archaeologists a rare chance to probe the town’s hidden history.

Historically-important remains of the town’s once-imposing defensive wall and ditch, both dating from the early 1400s, have been revealed.

The stretch of wall was previously identified by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales RCAHMW and appeared on a 1937 plan.

According to the report, the wall was previously designated as a scheduled monument.

However, it states the wall was “erroneously believed to have been destroyed by the 1970’s extension to the social club and was de-scheduled.”

Following the rediscovery of the wall, the section has been made safe and is now being considered for re-scheduling.

Smaller finds from various periods including items of domestic and trade waste, animal bones, medieval pottery, tile sherds, glass and ceramic bottles, stone pot lids, sharpening and burnishing stones, and even a metal advertising sign.

The town ditch, which was found to have survived beneath the road, was identified following the demolition of properties on Steeple Lane.

Upper areas were excavated and found to contain material from the 17th-18th centuries.

A number of 19th – early 20th century bottles and jars collected from the area at the rear of the social club have also provided evidence of the strong trading links between Beaumaris, the rest of Wales and places like Liverpool.

The archaeologists’ report highlights how the area was once home to manufacturing trades such as tanning, leather working and brick making/clay digging for brick manufacturing.

The town ditch remains have also provided an intriguing insight into the role of animals within the town.

And bones showing butchery marks have also given clues to what people were eating, including mutton, beef, pork, and chicken, with the occasional addition of venison, while mollusc and oyster shells suggested seafood was on the menu.

Numerous animal bones were found, from cattle to sheep, goats, roe deer, chickens, foxes, swans and geese, dogs and cats – although not all were considered food waste.

Medieval material, with decorated tile fragments dating from the 13th to the 15th century, were also removed from the town ditch.

There is a suggestion that some of the fragments may have come from the Franciscan friary in Llanfaes, founded in 1237, and some from the nearby St Mary’s and St Nicholas Church which was founded in 1330 and remodelled several times.

Jenny Emmett, senior planning archaeologist for Gwynedd Archaeological Trust said: “What has been interesting is the contrast between the monumental medieval defences and the smaller, more humble artefacts that tell the fascinating stories of ordinary Beaumaris folk.

“But finding an up-standing piece of the wall has really been one of the most exciting discoveries.

“It has now been restored by specialists and people will be able to see it, as it is now incorporate within part of the wall in the car on Steeple Lane, and it is now being considered for rescheduling.”

She added that it had been a complex site to manage but that there had been “good team work” between the archaeologists and the council.

By Dale Spridgeon – Local Democracy Reporter