A prehistoric landscape has been discovered by archaeologists as they continue their excavations on a site earmarked for housing.
Experts say the discovery provides important new evidence relating to the lives and deaths of people belonging to the early farming communities of the area.
Specialist archaeology consultants, APAC Ltd, made the discovery at the site of the new Tathana’s Court housing development in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan .
The site is operated by Barratt Homes who had planned to build 100 houses there.
The prehistoric archaeological features were discovered when topsoil was removed during early stages of the development.
One of the first areas to be fully excavated revealed the plan of a prehistoric monument. Circular in form and around 7m in diameter, the feature is defined by a shallow, flat bottomed ditch, dug into the underlying limestone rock.
Experts say the circular ditch is not continuous, but has a single gap, and is possibly an entrance. Inside the enclosure a number of small pits were discovered and these contained pottery and flint finds. Initial identifications suggest these finds are typical of the Neolithic period, suggesting that the monument was in use around 5,400-4,400 years ago (3,400-2,400 BC).
Burial landscapes Bronze Age
At a later date, a straight ditch, also thought to be of prehistoric date, was dug and cut through the earlier monument.
The Neolithic period represents the time of the earliest farmers in Wales. Circular monuments such as these are thought to have been places of ritual performance. They are often found to be early elements within larger burial landscapes of the Bronze Age.
Archaeological excavations will continue at the site over coming weeks and months and further discoveries will be reported upon, as they are made.
This latest find follows the of a number of cremation pits at the site in May.