Discover the archaeological secrets of your home town

1 Jul 2010 11:44 AM

At today’s Treftadaeth Conference, Alun Ffred Jones, Minister for Heritage, has launched a free online service to explore Welsh archaeological sites. The conference, organised by Cadw, the Assembly Government’s historic environment service, is the leading annual conference for Wales’ historic environment sector.

Archwilio (which means ‘to explore’ in Welsh), provides access to over 100,000 records maintained by the four Welsh archaeological trusts. Members of the public as well as academics will be able to use this free service to easily trace the archaeological history of anywhere in Wales.

The Minister observed:

“Wales is the first country in Britain to make its archaeological records available online. 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”.

“I am delighted to see independent organisations developing systems that will contribute towards addressing some of the aims set out in the Historic Environment Strategic Statement, published in 2009.”

Archwilio has been developed through a partnership of the four Welsh archaeological trusts to provide public access to their records. The trusts seek to increase the understanding of the historic environment of Wales and to improve its protection.

The four Welsh archaeological trusts maintain the Historic Environment Records - records on the archaeological and cultural heritage sites of their regions. Sites recorded range in date from over 100,000 years old to those of the Cold War, and in type from the discovery of a single flint arrowhead to a medieval castle.

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