"one of the finest {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} manor houses in Britain." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} played host to Charles I." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} You can imagine how excited {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the archaeologists were" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} when they discovered the moat {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of this Grade I listed building." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Except there was one tiny problem. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} here's the moat and does it go {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} up to here and turn round the house?" "it goes hurtling off {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in that direction." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This is the direction {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the moat's going in" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} what's it protecting?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} There have been several theories - {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} from a chapel to a heavily {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} fortified cattle enclosure." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And we've got just three days {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to rip up this field" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and find out what this {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} has got to do with that." "please!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Not a cattle enclosure." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} sitting on a plateau of land" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the middle of the rolling {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} South Wales Valleys." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} The earth works we're here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to investigate were first recorded" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} all attempts to establish {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} what they are have failed." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Where he's coming in is where that {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} ditch was shown from through there." "yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But it makes sense to assume {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} they've got something to do {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} where the powerful Pritchard family {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} once entertained Charles I. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is also a bit of a mystery {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} because no-one knows" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} if it was the first house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to be built on this site." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} You've got this whole place to run" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and you've got coach loads of kids {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} coming in and all the tourists" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and you've invited us {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} here for three days." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I just really want to know because I don't think" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it is the only thing {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that's important on this site." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} It's always struck me {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} as rather strange" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that we have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} this potential moated enclosure" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and it actually goes out in the {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} opposite direction from the house." "This might {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} be a Medieval moated site" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} more likely of Roman origin. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} "excavation will be required {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to decide the matter." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So you're quite happy {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to fend the kids off {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and let us get on with it." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Absolutely." "do we have an earlier {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} moated house or even a Roman fort" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in this enormous field?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} It's a big question" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and for once we're not waiting {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} for geophys to answer it." "{\cHFFFFFF}definite earthworks." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Because some of the team have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} decided to break with tradition" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and open a trench immediately." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} not only a trench but a big one!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Here are the three wise monkeys {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of archaeology." "how come we've {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} got a trench in already?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Stewart had a wander this morning" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and he picked up {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} these three low earthworks" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} but they seem to line up {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} with the possible moat" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} we couldn't wait any longer." "{\cHFFFFFF}A couple of years ago {\cHFFFFFF}they put a trench" "{\cHFFFFFF}across where they think {\cHFFFFFF}the earthworks were {\cHFFFFFF}two sort of banks of stones {\cHFFFFFF}with a post hole in the middle. we've got to think big." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Surely this is going to be {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the easiest dig we've ever done - go home!" "except the term "moat" {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} on an Ordinance Survey map" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} covers a multitude of sins." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} What does he mean?" "what is a moat? it could just {\cHFFFFFF}be something that looks nice" "{\cHFFFFFF}in your grounds." "We've got no idea {\cHFFFFFF}what this thing is until we dig it." "our first trench has gone in {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} over the tantalisingly visible bit" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the L-shaped earthworks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that everyone is calling a moat." "{\cHFFFFFF}In this first trench {\cHFFFFFF}it's always so important." "{\cHFFFFFF}I reckon you learn more {\cHFFFFFF}from that first trench than you do {\cHFFFFFF}it gives you that first impression {\cHFFFFFF}of the site." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We suspect this earthwork {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} may only be one corner" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of a much larger feature" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} with some potentially stunning {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} archaeology in the middle." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And until John and his team {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} finish their survey of this field" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we can only guess what that might be tell me {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} our moat isn't a cattle enclosure! people think of moats {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} but that could be the corner {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} of any type of enclosure. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it could be a cattle enclosure. so {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} we've got to take those trees away" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and perhaps see in this field {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that we're part of the landscape" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that goes {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} with that manor house over there. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we need to find out {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} as much as we can about the house." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And the most obvious thing {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} about our Llancaiach Fawr Manor" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is that it's a house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of wealth and power. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} considering it belonged {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to a powerful Welsh dynasty {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} called the Pritchards. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Pritchard was quite important {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} during the Civil War." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} He was Governor of Cardiff Castle {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and then of Cardiff itself." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} And he comes from quite {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} an important family." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} They're thought to be part {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} of the royal line from Glamorgan" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and that's the genealogy {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} they want to hold to." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} some centuries beforehand." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but what do you think" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} might be the relationship {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} between this house and that field?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} If we've got what looks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} to be a moated enclosure" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it's always made me wonder" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} whether there's the possibility {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that there's an earlier building." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We just need to try and see {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} if we can find it." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So could our potential moat {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} enclose the ancestral home" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the Pritchard family?" "archaeological digs {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} have shown time and time again {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} belonging to an earlier generation {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the family." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And it seems unlikely {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that a house as grand" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} as the current Llancaiach Fawr was {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the first to be built on this site." "you might {\cHFFFFFF}have had a big post in there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And Ben and Phil have now hit {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the first evidence" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the mysterious earthworks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that promised so much." "{\cHFFFFFF}That bank out there {\cHFFFFFF}is one row of stones." "{\cHFFFFFF}This could be {\cHFFFFFF}the post hole in the middle." "{\cHFFFFFF}And then we go that way" "{\cHFFFFFF}and we have another row of stones {\cHFFFFFF}which is the other bank." "geophysics might be able {\cHFFFFFF}to track it all the way across? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} should be a walk {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the park for geophys." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} What could possibly go wrong?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we've put in our first trench. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and sure enough it's there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But the problem {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} with this moat on the maps" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} nothing more." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is everything clear?" "{\cHFFFFFF}As clear as mud." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} What do you mean? {\cHFFFFFF}nothing that looks like a moat ditch" "{\cHFFFFFF}and I can't see any evidence {\cHFFFFFF}for an enclosure. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} which is not good news with {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} two and a half days still to go." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} where we're looking for a moat {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} which rather than going round {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} which is a bit of a puzzle." "I think we now {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} know even less about this site" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} look at that." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Like someone sneezed on it!" "is it?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'Basically this geophysical phlegm {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} has found no hint of the moat" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'or any suggestion for {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the earlier medieval house" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'we'd hoped to find in this field. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'Ben and Phil have worked out {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} what the surveyors actually saw.' {\cHFFFFFF}that's more or less conforming {\cHFFFFFF}with where the moat should be." "{\cHFFFFFF}But I have to say there's nothing {\cHFFFFFF}in this trench that looks" "{\cHFFFFFF}terribly moat-like and it ought {\cHFFFFFF}to be here." "There's no moat." "doesn't exist." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'But all due credit to John." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'The geophys has thrown up {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} something unexpected" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'that's got Ben {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and the team intrigued.' turning a corner {\cHFFFFFF}and coming down here." "{\cHFFFFFF}This is enclosing a very large area." "{\cHFFFFFF}That ties in with something that {\cHFFFFFF}Phil's got at the end of the trench." "{\cHFFFFFF}We think we've got a feature {\cHFFFFFF}running in that direction." "{\cHFFFFFF}But until we get {\cHFFFFFF}a section across that ditch" "{\cHFFFFFF}we can't tell what date it is." "{\cHFFFFFF}It could be much earlier than {\cHFFFFFF}the medieval period." "{\cHFFFFFF}We've got to dig it basically {\cHFFFFFF}and have a look. than the {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} medieval ridge and furrow ploughing." "and we'll see what we get. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we're opening a second trench {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} further along its northern boundary." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I think we've got an edge there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I think that's our edge." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We've been working on the theory {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that our main field may have" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} been the site of a posh house" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that's earlier than {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the next door grand Manor House." "isn't it?" "{\cHFFFFFF}It is rather grim and grand." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we need to get as many dates" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} from this site as possible." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} including the correct date for {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} when the Manor House was built." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} So it's cutting through this {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} original beam here with a partition" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and it looks like this {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} whole corridor had been added" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} early 17th century." "is it?" "with peg holes" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} for the rafters." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So we've brought {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in a dendrochronologist the best {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} dating evidence for a house is often" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} found in the roof timbers." "{\cHFFFFFF}It's either significantly later than {\cHFFFFFF}anticipated or significantly earlier." "{\cHFFFFFF}We'll pick that up with the dendro." "{\cHFFFFFF}And that would potentially allow us {\cHFFFFFF}to fit it into the family history." "{\cHFFFFFF}Hopefully we'll get {\cHFFFFFF}results to you by day three." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Brilliant." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} The dendro dates and digging {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} will have to be our main sources because there's almost" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} no written history for the Pritchard {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} family prior to the 16th century." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} That was all passed down {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} through word of mouth." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But we do at least have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an impressive family tree." "{\cHFFFFFF}They claim that they went back {\cHFFFFFF}a very long way indeed." "{\cHFFFFFF}From up here you will see {\cHFFFFFF}they trace their descent back the small." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We know the Pritchard family {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} lived somewhere in this area" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} from at least the 1200s." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But the first recorded mentions {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of a house at Llancaiach" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} don't appear until the mid 1500s." "{\cHFFFFFF}(READS ORIGINAL TEXT)" "{\cHFFFFFF}"We saw mist with no healthy heart" "{\cHFFFFFF}"and rain as a shroud {\cHFFFFFF}over Llancaiach." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Do we know where they're living {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} before our house is built?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Unfortunately we don't {\cHFFFFFF}and it'll be very exciting indeed" "{\cHFFFFFF}if the archaeology can show that {\cHFFFFFF}there was a major manorial centre" "{\cHFFFFFF}prior to the house that we know of." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We don't seem to have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} any evidence for a medieval manor" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the big field." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But we're not giving up." "yes." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Structure there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Because Stewart has a theory. look." "{\cHFFFFFF}You'd easy get a cart over this." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} This is a seriously big bridge." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'He thinks the landscape {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} may hold a clue" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'to the location of an earlier house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} on the other side of the vast site.' you could have chosen {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a slightly nicer place!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} What we're starting to do {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} now is kind of understand" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} the site as a whole." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} We started out in the field {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} on the other side over there. what we see {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} is that the main road that probably" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} actually we're standing on it now." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} The house is facing south." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} So there must be some entrance in {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} this corner rather than that one." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Do you think this is {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the first house on this site?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I don't think anything in the house" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} shows anything on that site before." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So is there unlikely {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to be another structure here?" "there could be {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} one in the vicinity of it." "maps." "maps"?" "here we have the tithe {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} map for the area. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} there is a field here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} with a number 1483 in it." "1483 has the name Hendra." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Our Welsh speaking historian says" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} it's a very important name often {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} applied to "the Old Settlement" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} or "the Old Place" and anything with {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} that name is likely to have been" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} fossilised in the geography {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} of the place by the Middle Ages. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} that was here before that house." "Stewart believes that" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'this area to the south of the house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} may contain an earlier settlement.'" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So geophys once again {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} find themselves surveying" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} flat piece of grass." "it's the perfect {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} site for a geophys survey." "{\cHFFFFFF}Any vibes?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Um... what could {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} possibly go wrong?" "!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Is this a Stewart idea {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} or is this actually bona fide?" "{\cHFFFFFF}I wouldn't say {\cHFFFFFF}anything against Stewart." "{\cHFFFFFF}Not when he's in the back of shot." "{\cHFFFFFF}Moment of truth..." "Hm." "dear!" "John can see {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} no evidence of any structures." "wasn't it?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Yeah." "back to the drawing board." "wasn't it?" "pretty sure it was." "then where on Earth is it?" "I thought this big {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} field presented us with one of most straightforward {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Time Teams we'd done in a long time." "I'm not so sure." "can I remind you what {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} this Royal Commission report" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} written 35 years ago actually says? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} "but excavation will be required {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to decide the matter. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} it don't seem to be moated and it {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} doesn't seem to be Roman either." "{\cHFFFFFF}Correct." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But does this mean that there isn't {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an earlier building on this site?" "I think logically" "{\cHFFFFFF}it's likely that an early building {\cHFFFFFF}would be somewhere round here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So what's the strategy for tomorrow? {\cHFFFFFF}but we can get some {\cHFFFFFF}test pits in here. {\cHFFFFFF}something that gives us a clue {\cHFFFFFF}where this early house might be. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but do we have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an earlier building on this site?" "the only way to find out" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is to put our shovels {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} into this beautiful garden." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I can't wait. {\cHFFFFFF}and we may not have found {\cHFFFFFF}a medieval house here" "{\cHFFFFFF}but we definitely have archaeology." "lovely." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Because both trenches are picking up {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} traces of a massive enclosure ditch" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} discovered by geophys. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} prehistoric if you like." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I wouldn't mind betting." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And that will now be our major {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} investigation here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in spite of what it says {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} on the maps." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} What the Royal Commission saw {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} were two banks" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and a slightly hollowed area {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} in the middle and I think" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} what has created one of the banks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} is this big stony feature" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} running through here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And what do you reckon that is?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} At the moment it is a bank {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and that's all we can say about it." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Do you think we'll be able {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to date these two features? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} so I suspect that some of this {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} is probably medieval. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} there's a bunch of stones going {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in a completely different direction." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} because it is not going" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it's a totally different direction prehistoric enclosure {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} on the site." "everyone around here... {\cHFFFFFF}Yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} ..believes that there was {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} at one time a moat in this field." "{\cHFFFFFF}Yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We've had people leaning over {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that gate for the last 24 hours are you?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Yes.{\cH00FFFF} Why?" "{\cHFFFFFF}the Royal Commission came" "{\cHFFFFFF}and they saw some earthworks {\cHFFFFFF}and I guess they did well to spot but given that they're" "{\cHFFFFFF}it was natural to think this could be it must be true." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Do you now think that this field {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} isn't going to be able to tell us" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} why this house was here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the first place?" "{\cHFFFFFF}We've clearly got interesting {\cHFFFFFF}things going on in this field " "{\cHFFFFFF}we've got this early feature" "{\cHFFFFFF}that Phil's been dealing with." "{\cHFFFFFF}There's definitely a story" "{\cHFFFFFF}to be told here but I'm not sure {\cHFFFFFF}it's going to get us to where" "{\cHFFFFFF}the early house is." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} There is actually a chance {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that this big feature {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but because these banks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and potential post holes are" "it'll have to remain {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an enigma." "I've got some bad news {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} for you." "then." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} It also means I need {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to have a chat with Diane." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} There is nothing that ties in with {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} this house at all in this field." "then?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I don't know." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} How do you feel about that?" "{\cHFFFFFF}It's difficult" "{\cHFFFFFF}because it creates more questions {\cHFFFFFF}than it answers. {\cHFFFFFF}they just suddenly put {\cHFFFFFF}a house here in the 1530s." "{\cHFFFFFF}There's got to be something {\cHFFFFFF}that went before it. {\cHFFFFFF}you can't imagine that people" "{\cHFFFFFF}haven't used it for living on {\cHFFFFFF}since time began almost." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} If we want to find evidence {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of an earlier house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we've got to move {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in that direction." "{\cHFFFFFF}That's fine. at least bits of it." "{\cHFFFFFF}That's fine." "We'll just dig holes {\cHFFFFFF}in the lawn and see what happens." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So a lot of our effort is now {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} shifting to the area {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} as we try to find any previous {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} buildings that may have stood" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} on this site." "because geophys have that Stewart" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an early Welsh settlement." "as he believes" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} there should be some sort of {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} structure on the original road" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} into the site. {\cHFFFFFF}so looking at some sort of L-shape." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} if we can find our level" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} it'll be a funny-shaped trench." "we've {\cHFFFFFF}got to have a funny-shaped trench {\cHFFFFFF}as well! {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} because we'd expect an earlier {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} manor to have a defensive wall" "this was {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the wild Welsh west." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Constant feuds and lawlessness" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} meant that even the most {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} powerful families" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} needed to defend themselves." "{\cHFFFFFF}there are no defences at all... {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} No." "{\cHFFFFFF}..even though that's {\cHFFFFFF}the first door you come to." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} pull that across." "the current manor house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is a monument to the art {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of survival." "{\cHFFFFFF}All right." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} And... same thing." "{\cHFFFFFF}but we're on the first floor." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Now that doorway there goes through {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} to the Lord's private quarters" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and that's defended in the same way." "{\cHFFFFFF}The Pritchards could barricade {\cHFFFFFF}themselves in there {\cHFFFFFF}if all else failed." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} to another part of the house." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} You'll see that this is a house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} of power and paranoia. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} more a profound sense of relief {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and jubilation" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} because we've just made {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a remarkably rare discovery." "{\cHFFFFFF}Isn't that wonderful?" "{\cHFFFFFF}That looks very prehistoric" "{\cHFFFFFF}and it looks like it's tending more {\cHFFFFFF}towards the Bronze Age than... that's... but let's have a local." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I was going to say!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Let's have a local knowledge." "yeah... {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} That is stone." "{\cHFFFFFF}That is really something." "{\cHFFFFFF}I've never dug a piece" "{\cHFFFFFF}of Bronze Age pot up in my life {\cHFFFFFF}and I've been digging over 50 years." "ever dug a piece of... no never seen anything." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This pot suggests that people may {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} have been living here during 000 years ago it's {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} like finding a needle in a haystack. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} lovely place." "{\cHFFFFFF}Yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} let's find some more." "yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This is the field {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that refuses to die." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Yesterday evening we discovered {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that we hadn't actually got {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a medieval moat here. we have got prehistoric" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} which is apparently quite rare." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But all that brings into question {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} our understanding of John's geophys." "two chairs {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the middle of a field?" "we need the desk." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Presumably looking for a medieval {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} moat is rather different" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} from trying to find something {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} prehistoric in the geophys. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and the ploughing has not only {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it's certainly eaten into {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} the magnetic responses." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} So trying to understand {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} the geophysical anomalies {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} it is even more difficult." "so if you forget about there {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} being anything medieval here" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is there any evidence" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in your geophys of something {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that might be prehistoric? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} then some of the ditches." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Clearly these come into play." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We've now extended the survey down" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and look at some of these {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} curving responses." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} It could be we've got a prehistoric {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} landscape here." "day two over there" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and now it looks like we're {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} going to come back here again." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} That's the way it goes." "Raksha." "our quest {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} for an earlier medieval manor {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is falling apart." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I've just found a piece {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} of plastic... no!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} ..in the middle of it." "{\cHFFFFFF}No!" "we'd have expected {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to find some evidence of it" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but there's not even a sniff {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of anything medieval." "{\cHFFFFFF}I think we've actually got {\cHFFFFFF}to call it a day on this one." "{\cHFFFFFF}I don't think we're going to get {\cHFFFFFF}to where we want to get." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And as for Stewart's latest {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} target... {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} over here we've got natural." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Over here we've got natural {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and over here we've got natural." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We have a sewage pipe there {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and a beautiful 19th{\cHFFFF00} century {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} cobbled surface." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Have you got underneath?" "we have and we've got natural." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} No gatehouse at all. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} none of what Stewart thought {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} was here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} It was worth a try." "{\cHFFFFFF}Not really!" "dear!" "So not only no moat {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but nothing medieval outside" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'the Tudor house either {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and certainly no major defences.'" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} aren't we?" "{\cHFFFFFF}I don't think we are." "{\cHFFFFFF}We've come here to test a {\cHFFFFFF}possibility - why is this house {\cHFFFFFF}here?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Is there anything earlier here?" "{\cHFFFFFF}And there's a range of possibilities." "{\cHFFFFFF}It could be that there was {\cHFFFFFF}an earlier ancestral home" "{\cHFFFFFF}and they simply built this grand {\cHFFFFFF}new house in the same place. we'll build a big house here." "{\cHFFFFFF}The other thing is that {\cHFFFFFF}although they're thinking a bit it's also {\cHFFFFFF}the beginning of the period {\cHFFFFFF}where they're thinking so again is it simply" "{\cHFFFFFF}that it's just a wonderful area {\cHFFFFFF}to be in and they're just {\cHFFFFFF}hedging their bets still?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} They're brave words but I don't know {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} how much faith I have in them." "what do we have? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} apart from geophys being {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} on the verge of a nervous breakdown." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But just as I'm beginning to{\cH00FFFF} think {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} this is one of the most {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we make our first proper {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} medieval find." "I think that might {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} interest you somewhat." "innit?" "oh!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This little coin {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is a major discovery" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} because we suspect it dates {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to before the time of the current {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} manor house." "isn't it?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Long cross... {\cHFFFFFF}Long cross penny." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} hasn't it? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} there appears to be a cross {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} on both sides." "{\cHFFFFFF}Oh!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Let me put my glasses on. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} it's from the moat field that {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we dismissed as having nothing {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} medieval in it." "isn't it?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Now it might just be that someone {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} dropped out of a pocket or purse" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} something like that but {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that proves" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that there were people in this field {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} earlier{\cH00FFFF} than the manor house." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} It's now the end of {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a perplexing day two... it's perplexed most of us {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} although there is one man" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} who seems to be content with {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the results of his labours." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} I mean not only have we've now not" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} got one Bronze Age ditch but three {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} ditches and the beauty of that" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} is in that it implies that people {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} have been living here for such" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} a more extended length of time {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} so we've got prehistoric if not thousands {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} of years." "you've got {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} some rather good finds." "we {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} have not one but two medieval coins." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} What sort of date?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} 14th century." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} am I right in saying {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} it is medieval" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but it's earlier than our house?" "yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}We've finally extended activity back {\cHFFFFFF}earlier than the present house." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So there's all to play for." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Not only have got something {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} prehistoric and fairly epic" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but it looks as though something {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} quite exciting was going on here before that {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} house was built." "What'll it be?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And it's not just the weather {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that's taken a turn for the worse." "{\cHFFFFFF}Have you started?" "we'd like to start if you {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} tell us where you'd like us to dig." "you're there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} The mood's also darker {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} amongst the diggers." "we can't dig it all. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we can't find any evidence of an {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} earlier manor here at Llancaiach. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} even if it means we have to turn {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the whole garden upside down." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} So why are we putting {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} this trench in?" "this is the backside {\cHFFFFFF}of the house really garderobe?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} That tiny little window there?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Yeah." "This is the area where {\cHFFFFFF}all the sort of rubbish and muck" "{\cHFFFFFF}would be deposited in." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And presumably we could {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} possibly find evidence here" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} if an earlier phase exists." "yes. {\cHFFFFFF}because it's been remarkable {\cHFFFFFF}how clean this site is." "{\cHFFFFFF}We've got very little pottery - {\cHFFFFFF}it must be going somewhere" "{\cHFFFFFF}and pushing it towards the back {\cHFFFFFF}seems a good candidate." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} A lot's riding on this trench {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to the north of the manor." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We found no trace of {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an earlier house in the test pits" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and yet common archaeological sense" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} suggests there could be {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an earlier manor here. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} so hopefully something else {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} comes up further along" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} otherwise we're going to be {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} rather disappointing again." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} And all I can say to people {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} is "natural"!" "(CHUCKLES) lived in the area {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'although no-one's ever {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} come up with an exact date.'" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I hope he's in after all." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'Until now.' you've got {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a date for us?" "and that date is... {\cHFFFFFF}'AD 1548 to 1565.' and you're {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} pretty certain about that?" "black and white.' mate." "Bye." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} You murmured the word "later"." "all {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} the things in the Commission volume" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} so 1548 - got a date." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} What does that date {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} tell you about the house?" "{\cHFFFFFF}It tells us that the house is {\cHFFFFFF}more old-fashioned than we thought. normally." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} So we're a bit in the backwoods {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} at that point?" "yes!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And you've been {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} looking after this house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} but never actually known {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} how old the house was." "we just..." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} All we knew was around the 1530s." "cos we've never known." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we've at least answered" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'one of Diane's questions {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} about Llancaiach." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'It also makes the coins we're {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} finding in the next-door field because {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} they pre-date the standing house.' {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} most likely of Elizabeth I." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Could it be something a bit special?" "I think." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we've also discovered coins" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'that are over 100 years {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} earlier than the current house.' the... {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} I'm so excited {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} I nearly knocked the light over!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} You can see one of the fleur de lys {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} is complete in the middle" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and a half fleur de lys at the end - {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} the angular end of a crown." "don't they? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the archaeologists have taken {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a more pragmatic view" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} {\cH00FFFF} as to why the coins are here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} This coin could just have been {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} dropped as an accidental loss." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} It isn't necessarily evidence {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} for earlier activity on this site." "all from this area." "{\cHFFFFFF}You've detected all the other spoil {\cHFFFFFF}and the other trenches {\cHFFFFFF}but they're concentrated here." "{\cHFFFFFF}That's interesting." "or what?" "{\cHFFFFFF}It's evidence of where people have {\cHFFFFFF}congregated with money in their {\cHFFFFFF}pockets." "{\cHFFFFFF}that kind of thing." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'And it would seem that Llancaiach" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'was at a major intersection {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of routeways.'" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We've got the house here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} and it's quite clear looking at it" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that it's in a landscape {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} dominated by deep valleys." "{\cHFFFFFF}And the great advantage {\cHFFFFFF}of the stream coming down there" "{\cHFFFFFF}is that it defines for you." "{\cHFFFFFF}You've got a shallow path {\cHFFFFFF}running through here that actually across the valleys." "{\cHFFFFFF}It's something quite unique {\cHFFFFFF}and important for this area." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This is one of the few places {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that routes from deep in the valleys" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} would meet with east-west traffic. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} travellers tripped up {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and lost their loose change." "Phil?" "Tracey." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And yet this field has {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} produced our best discovery so far - 500 years {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} older than the house. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we still can't make head or tail {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the geophys." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We've done more survey and we're {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} getting the same sort of results. and they're {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} scattered right across the field" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} but there's no clear patterns {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} in the results." "{\cHFFFFFF}nice juicy target to go for." "{\cHFFFFFF}If I could extend that trench {\cHFFFFFF}all the way down the field... how wide is that trench?" "very wide." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And you'd like to extend it {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the length of this field." "why not?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Slightly impractical! {\cHFFFFFF}hoping that we're going to hit {\cHFFFFFF}something in here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Keep looking - you might find {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} something small and sexy." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I'm going on to another scene!" "we've got {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} all sorts of features in here" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} so when I've got schoolchildren {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} coming in to go round the site {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} what will I be able to tell them" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} about what was going on here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} in the prehistoric period?" "what you can say {\cHFFFFFF}with absolute certainty is that 000 years." "{\cHFFFFFF}And we do have a lot of ditches." "he's standing in one." "{\cHFFFFFF}and next door to that is another one. {\cHFFFFFF}they've been re-dug by hand." "{\cHFFFFFF}That's a lot of effort." "{\cHFFFFFF}What that does mean is that {\cHFFFFFF}their boundaries have stayed static" "{\cHFFFFFF}for a very long time." "{\cHFFFFFF}What is absolutely indisputable {\cHFFFFFF}is that we've got one piece {\cHFFFFFF}of early Bronze Age pot " "{\cHFFFFFF}that's going to take us back {\cHFFFFFF}to about 2000 BC. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Diane has got a story {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to tell about this field." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Just not the one she was expecting." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But there is a chance that {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the kids who visit here" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} will be more interested in the story {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} about the day Time Team took" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a mechanical digger to Llancaiach's {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} beautifully manicured lawn. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is opening another trench {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to the north of the house." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} This trench is our absolutely last {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} ditch attempt to find any evidence" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of a house or actually anything {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} medieval that pre-dates our house." "{\cHFFFFFF}Oh." "{\cHFFFFFF}It's a cable but I don't think {\cHFFFFFF}it's still connected to anything." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} Let's hope not!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'Because our previous {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} last ditch attempt to find" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'something of archaeological note {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} hasn't been completely successful.' but of death too." "yes." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We've got what looks like {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} a dead horse." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} A dead horse?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Can you date it?" "which is 17th Century." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a horse died on this farm." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Thank you for your contribution {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to this story!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'I'll avoid any remarks {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} about flogging a dead horse." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in spite of Ben's heroic attempts" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'to re-landscape {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the whole garden...'" "{\cHFFFFFF}It's natural." "This looks natural." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} '..we are now flogging {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a dead what-d'you-call-it.' detritus." "{\cHFFFFFF}These must have been {\cHFFFFFF}the cleanest people in Wales." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'The evidence speaks for itself.'" "the time line." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the little piece of pot there. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} or the Viking or the Norman." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} Here we are in the 15th Century - {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} we've got two coins." "a thimble. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a penny and a bit of pot." "what's happened?" "from the archaeological {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} evidence it seems like we have" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} a bit of activity here in the Bronze {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Age and then a great lot of nothing" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} people start dropping things." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Maybe they built a house {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and then they went away again." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I have to say in defence {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of all the people who were living {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} they might have made stuff {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that hasn't survived in the ground." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} They might have done {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} but that's absence of evidence." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} It's dangerous to use that to argue {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} that that is evidence of absence." "yeah." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} But it's getting there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} We've nearly got enough to say {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} nothing was happening." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Is that too depressing?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} No!" "Helen!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'So we nearly have enough {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} to say nothing was happening" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'between the digging {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of these Bronze Age ditches" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'and the building {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of the current manor." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I suppose.'" "{\cHFFFFFF}It really doesn't help having {\cHFFFFFF}that native feature." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} This ridge of the furrow?" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} It must have chopped the top of it." "there is {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} a faction of the team that thinks" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the two could still be linked." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And it's all down to {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} the medieval Welsh love of heritage" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and making a link {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} with your ancestors." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} We now know the ditches over there {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} might be as old as Bronze Age." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} They're certainly old." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} Do you think the Pritchards{\cH00FF00} would've {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} been aware of that when they built {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} their house?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Phil and Ben seem quite confident {\cHFFFFFF}that whatever there was out there have been a real attraction {\cHFFFFFF}for a gentry family." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} to build a house next door" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} would give them {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} a kind of air of legitimacy " "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} that "we've always been here"." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFFFF} Yes. {\cHFFFFFF}as part of the cult" "{\cHFFFFFF}and the education of the gentry." "{\cHFFFFFF}There was certainly a cache - {\cHFFFFFF}there was a value to having {\cHFFFFFF}we call an ancient monument." "{\cHFFFFFF}Having that very direct and immediate {\cHFFFFFF}connection with the past" "{\cHFFFFFF}would have meant {\cHFFFFFF}a great deal to them" "{\cHFFFFFF}the possibilities here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} We're now confident that echoes {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of that prehistoric landscape" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} would have been visible {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} in the 16th Century." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But our hunt for {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} an earlier medieval manor" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} has been a completely different {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} kettle of fish." "{\cHFFFFFF}Well... {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} while geophys and test pits {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} showed nothing to the south." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} The results weren't too hot {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} either to the west." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} well we did find an electrical cable" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} and a dead horse!" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} I'd call it a mixed result." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} are we in a position to say" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} whether or not there was a {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} medieval manor anywhere on this site" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} before this one?" "we are in a position {\cHFFFFFF}to say that." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And what's the answer?" "there wasn't!" "{\cHFFFFFF}I'm certain." "{\cHFFFFFF}Not one scrap of medieval pottery {\cHFFFFFF}from all these holes we've dug. {\cHFFFFFF}we'd find pottery everywhere - {\cHFFFFFF}I'm sure of it." "It's just not there." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} We've not seen any background {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} manuring on fields you get" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} when privvies are cleared out and {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} they chuck the stuff on the land. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} why did they build {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} this place on a green field site? {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} it was that people saw {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} an earthwork over there. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} it should have {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} been visible in the 1570s as well." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} I think that is what drew them here {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and we know that there was" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} an interest in the{\cH00FF00} past on the part {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} of the Pritchards" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} and we know that there's {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} an interesting field name of Hendra." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} I think those all point {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} to this being a special place." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} That's interesting - you're saying {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} they may have built this place here" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} because in folklore {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} it was an important site." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} I think there's every chance {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FF00} of that." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'So we now know the Pritchards {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} didn't come here until the 1550s house mysterious earthworks." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'And it's tantalising to think {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} they were trying to forge a link the 12th Century icon" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} 'from whom the Pritchards {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} claimed to be directly descended.'" "I was talking to a couple {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} of local people who work here." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And they were over the moon {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} that we'd managed to" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} take the story of this site {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} right back to the prehistoric." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} It's absolutely wonderful." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} You always hope you'll find things {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that are fascinating." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} But to find out we've got something" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} that's a Bronze Age {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} enclosure is wonderful." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} And we've dated your house. {\cHFFFFFF}{\cHFFFF00} means you can tell a better story." "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} But what strikes me as really ironic" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} is that the people {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} who put that house up" "{\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} thought they were harking back to {\cHFFFFFF}{\cH00FFFF} ancestors of 400 years previously." "000 years previously." "really?" "{\cHFFFFFF}Subtitles by {\cHFFFFFF}Red Bee Media Ltd"