Welsh Archaeological Trusts

Former archaeology trusts in Wales

The Welsh Archaeological Trusts (Welsh: Ymddiriedolaethau Archaeolegol Cymru) were the four archaeological organisations covering Wales, from their establishment in the mid-1970s until their merger into a single archaeological organisation, Heneb, in 2024.

## Overview

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They were established in the mid-1970s to respond to rescue archaeology.[1] They are independent charitable trusts which together provide a uniform regional archaeology service across Wales, working closely with Welsh Government and local authorities and forming a 'tripod' of archaeology and cultural heritage institutions with Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.[2]

The Trusts maintain Historic Environment Records for their respective areas to provide archaeological advice to central government, planning authorities and other public bodies. This heritage management work is supported by Cadw, together with associated archaeological projects and conservation of sites and historic landscapes.[3] Although they perform some of the functions that elsewhere in the UK are delivered by public bodies, the Welsh Archaeological Trusts are independent charities with political and operational autonomy. The Welsh Archaeological Trusts also generate income by providing archaeological consulting and contracting services for a range of clients - both in Wales and elsewhere. They also deliver a wide range of public engagement and archaeological outreach events and activities, with funding from many sources.

The four trusts comprise:

1. Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust
2. Dyfed Archaeological Trust
3. Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
4. Gwynedd Archaeological Trust

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The Welsh HERs were made statutory by the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016. This placed an obligation on Welsh Ministers to maintain the HERs, and this duty is discharged by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.[4]

On 1 July 2010 the four Welsh Trusts launched their online searchable HER website known as Archwilio, at the Treftadaeth Conference in Swansea. The site was launched by Alun Ffred Jones AM, Minister for Heritage, who observed “Wales is the first country in Britain that has made all its archaeological records available online”, and “Archwilio will be a tremendous asset not only for the people of Wales but also for those further afield who have an interest in the rich archaeology and cultural heritage of our country”.[5] The site contains the combined record of the four Trusts and gives the public free access to over 100,000 pieces of information about historic sites across Wales.

## Merger

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In September 2023 the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts agreed to merge. As part of this process, in November 2023 the Dyfed Archaeological Trust changed its name to Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. In April 2024 the other three Welsh Archaeological Trusts joined Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. The resulting organisation has a pan-Wales overview, whilst maintaining regionally-based operations.[6]

## See also

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* Archaeology of Wales

## References

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1. ^ Catling, Chris (7 April 2016). "Wales in the Vanguard: Pioneering protection of the past". Current Archaeology.
2. ^ Belford, Paul (28 March 2018). "Politics and Heritage: Developments in Historic Environment Policy and Practice in Wales". The Historic Environment: Policy and Practice (9). doi:10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721.
3. ^ The Welsh Assembly Government
4. ^ Cadw overview of the legislative framework
5. ^ The Welsh Trusts launch Archwilio
6. ^ "Heneb -The Trust for Welsh Archaeology – CBA Wales | Council for British Archaeology Wales". Retrieved 28 May 2024.

## External links

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* Heneb: The Trust for Welsh Archaeology
* Cadw overview of legislation and guidance
* Current Archaeology article about the Welsh Archaeological Trusts
* 'Archaeology in Trust' booklet celebrating 40 years of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts
* Archwilio website
* The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust website
* The Dyfed Archaeological Trust website
* The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust website
* The Gwynedd Archaeological Trust website

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Archaeology of Wales

* History of the British Isles
* Prehistoric Britain
* Prehistoric Wales

Sites|

* Archaeological museums
* UK-wide
* Archaeological sites
* Celtic field
* Dolmen
* Prehistoric structures
* Bronze Age sites
* Iron Age sites
* Roman sites
* Industrial sites
* Castles
* Ring of Iron
* Hillforts
* Monmouthshire
* Rounds
* Atlas
* Hill-slope enclosure
* Long barrows
* Protected wrecks
* Scheduled monuments
* Stone circles
* Gorsedd stones
* Tor cairn
* Treasure troves
* Tumps

Artefacts|

* Banc Tynddol sun-disc
* Bryn Gwyn stones
* Cadfan Stone
* Cantiorix Inscription
* Capel Garmon Firedog
* Carew Cross
* Cross of Neith
* Dog Stone, Mynydd Varteg
* Kendrick's Cave Decorated Horse Jaw
* Llanllyfni lunula
* Llyn Cerrig Bach Plaque
* Llywelyn's coronet
* Maen Achwyfan
* Moel Hebog shield
* Mold gold cape
* Nanteos Cup
* Rhos Rydd Shield
* St Brynach Cross
* Welsh artefacts in museums outside Wales

Preservation|

* Cadw
* Cambrian Archaeological Association
* Heneb
* Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
* World Heritage Sites

| Heritage registers|

* Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales
* Coflein
* Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales
* National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors
* National Monuments Record of Wales
* Scheduled monuments
* Sites and monuments record

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World Heritage Sites|

* Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
* Castles and Town Walls of King Edward I in Gwynedd
* Beaumaris Castle
* Caernarfon Castle and Town Walls
* Conwy Castle and Town Walls
* Harlech Castle
* Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal
* The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales

Other|

* Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
* Archaeologia Cambrensis
* Council for British Archaeology
* Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers
* Festival of British Archaeology
* Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician
* Mining archaeology in the British Isles
* Monmouth in the Mesolithic period
* Neolithic and Bronze Age rock art in the British Isles
* Portable Antiquities Scheme
* Royal Archaeological Institute

| Welsh Archaeological Trusts (defunct; succeeded by Heneb)|

* Clwyd-Powys
* Dyfed
* Glamorgan-Gwent
* Gwynedd

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