Amateur archaeologists discover lost medieval village
By ANITuesday, October 12, 2010
LONDON - Amateur archaeologists in the Vale of Glamorgan have discovered a hidden medieval village.
The discovery was made behind the railway viaduct at Porthkerry near Barry.
The Time Signs archaeology students are working with tutor Karl James Langford to prove his theory that the village of Whitelands existed, reports the BBC.
A house platform, which forms part of the manor house, has been found as well as big quantities of medieval pottery and evidence of other buildings.
They have identified three sites that run along Whitelands brook including what they think is a medieval mill.
Archaeologists believe that Whitelands was established in around 1100 by the Normans to service the profitable natural harbour of Porthkerry.
Langford says the village would have been formed as a ’sub-manor’ to the larger neighbouring Cwm Ciddy and Porthkerry villages. e believes that around 60 to 70 people could have lived in the settlement including around 10 in the manor house.
The community may have been involved in activities related to the harbour such as fishing.
Unlike Cwm Ciddy and Porthkerry, Whitelands did not have a church, which Mr Langford suggests may be the reason that proof of its existence has disappeared from local history. (ANI)
