CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. ARCHAEOLOGY Home / About the National Park / Archaeology SHARE THIS Archaeology is the study of people in the past, through the remains they leave behind. These remains can be almost anything – from burials and weapons to bits of broken pot, stone tools or World War II defences. Some of these remains, like the Iron Age promontory forts which line the coast of the National Park, are very substantial, and form distinctive landscape features even today. At the other end of the scale are the scatters of tiny flint pieces which mark out where prehistoric people made their tools and sat around their campfires. All of these different types of archaeology contribute to the historic environment of the National Park. The historic environment is part of what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such a special place. People have lived and worked in the Park for thousands of years, and have shaped the way it looks today. The National Park Authority has a duty to take care of the special qualities of the Park, and that includes its archaeology. We aim to understand the Park’s history, to protect it and to help people to enjoy it. We do this in a variety of ways. Our Community Archaeologist and our Building Conservation Officer are on hand to offer advice to people working with historic sites and features. We try to encourage people to enjoy their archaeological heritage – through specially themed walks as part of the activities and events programme, through annual events in National Archaeology Week (normally the third week in July) and through managing Carew Castle and Tidal Mill and Castell Henllys Iron Age Village. The National Park also has a continuing programme of work investigating the Park’s history and archaeology. The National Park’s archaeology is not just about individual sites – it is also about whole landscapes. A good example of this is the Cleddau Estuary where, until the 19th century, there was a thriving lime industry. Limestone was extracted from small quarries at the heads of the tidal channels, and loaded onto boats, known as sloops. These boats would then carry the limestone up the coast to North Pembrokeshire where it was unloaded, and burnt in kilns to produce lime for “sweetening” the soil in the fields. The remains of much older landscapes are still visible today such as the many defended enclosures dating back to the Iron Age from about 700 BC to the 70s AD when the Romans finally subdued the warlike Celts, and the round barrows of Bronze Age burials from around 1,700 BC. Some of the most striking monuments to be seen in the National Park are the portal dolmens of the New Stone Age built nearly 6,000 years ago, such as Pentre Ifan cromlech. Archaeologists and Geologists are now convinced that the source of the bluestones at Stonehenge is on and around the Preseli Hills. One such site is at Craig Rhosyfelin by the side of the Afon Brynberian. RECEIVE ARCHAEOLOGY UPDATES Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest archaeology developments in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. SIGN UP ON RECEIVE ARCHAEOLOGY UPDATES HELP US PROTECT THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST'S HERITAGE HERITAGEWATCH Working with Dyfed-Powys Police, Cadw and Dyfed Archaeological Trust, the National Park Authority set up HeritageWatch to help tackle heritage crime. READ MORE ON HERITAGEWATCH REPORT HERITAGE CRIME You can help protect our historic landscapes by reporting heritage crime to HeritageWatch. READ MORE ON REPORT HERITAGE CRIME FIND OUT ABOUT THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST'S PAST AT OUR VISITOR ATTRACTIONS CAREW CASTLE AND TIDAL MILL All outdoor areas of the Castle and its grounds are open, including the Walled Garden and play area. READ MORE ON CAREW CASTLE AND TIDAL MILL CASTELL HENLLYS IRON AGE VILLAGE Step back in time 2,000 years to the Iron Age at Castell Henllys! Please note you must book your tickets before visiting. READ MORE ON CASTELL HENLLYS IRON AGE VILLAGE ORIEL Y PARC GALLERY AND VISITOR CENTRE READ MORE ON ORIEL Y PARC GALLERY AND VISITOR CENTRE HERITAGE HOTSPOTS The National Park is full of archaeology. Around almost every corner you’ll find some glimpse of the past, but here are a few suggestions of particular places to go. READ MORE ON ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SUSTAINABILITY Find out how the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority tackles the issues of sustainability, climate change and sea level rise. READ MORE ON SUSTAINABILITY FACTS AND FIGURES Find out some fascinating facts that highlight what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park so special. READ MORE ON FACTS AND FIGURES ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY We do our best to ensure that you have access to all the best bits, so around 1,000 km of the network of public rights of way in the National Park is ... READ MORE ON ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY WILDLIFE Explore the amazing wildlife that makes its home on the Pembrokeshire Coast. READ MORE ON WILDLIFE HABITATS The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has many habitats which support a wide variety of wildlife; both common and rare. READ MORE ON HABITATS GEOLOGY When you think about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park you may conjure up images of beautiful beaches, panoramic views from the Coast Path and qua... READ MORE ON GEOLOGY HISTORY In this section we invite you to travel back in time and explore the rich cultural history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. READ MORE ON HISTORY CULTURE AND HERITAGE Pembrokeshire has a rich and diverse culture which has been shaped down the centuries by waves of invaders and settlers. READ MORE ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE GEOGRAPHY Explore the stunning geography of the Pembrokeshire Coast, which after all is the reason for Pembrokeshire being designated as a National Park. READ MORE ON GEOGRAPHY GET IN TOUCH Contact us and register your details to get the latest updates on what's happening in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. CONTACT US National Park Office Llanion Park Pembroke Dock Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY Tel: 01646 624800 Email: info@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk VISITING Plan your visit Access for All Carew Castle and Tidal Mill Castell Henllys Iron Age Village Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre QUICK LINKS About the National Park Authority About the National Park Planning Contact Us News Jobs Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie Policy Sitemap © 2021 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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