Ffos-y-fran Archaeological Excavations

Reclamation began in 2007 on derelict industrial land at Ffos-y-fran, east of Merthyr Tydfil, the site of the old Dowlais Ironworks, which in 1759 became the largest ironworks in the world.

Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust were given the opportunity to fully record the many industrial features that have survived at Ffos-y-fran, ranging from 18th century patchwork mines, a well-preserved steam driven ironstone mine belonging to the early 19th century called the Soap Vein Pit, several mid-19th century ironstone and coal mines, tramroads, railways and the Dowlais Free Drainage System. The latter an extensive hand-dug network of leats and ponds from the early 19th century, which drained water from the upland moor at Ffos-y-fran for the Dowlais Ironworks. In addition to the industrial remains, a well preserved post-medieval agrarian settlement is being recorded, including at least four domestic buildings, a well, a complex of field systems and the poorly preserved remains of the 18th century Cardiff to Dowlais road.

The reclamation process will entail the extraction of coal by opencast methods allowing the opportunity of recording subterranean industrial features previously inaccessible until now. The archaeological programme is expected to continue well into 2008.

source: GGAT archives: news 2008

These excavations were photographed by RCAHMW on 9th June 2008.