Bid to excavate the home of the last Princes of Gwynedd fails

Activists have been left “bitterly disappointed” after a bid for a full scale excavation of the home of the last Princes of Gwynedd was turned down.

The Gwynedd Archaelogical Trust (GAT) had submitted a funding bid to Government body CADW, hoping to further explore Llys Rhosyr on the outskirts of Newborough on Anglesey, which would have opened up the remaining two thirds of the site that remains buried underground.

But the application was turned down, to the disappointment of local activists, who say a “major opportunity” has been missed.

The applicants had secured partial funding from the Bro Aberffraw Community Fund, but later fell through due to the lack of approval from CADW.

With major work underway at Cardiff’s St Fagan’s museum to build a replica of how the court would have looked in its heyday, there were hopes the original site on Anglesey could be excavated to coincide with the Eisteddfod’s visit to the island this summer.

It was also hoped the work could spearhead further exploration in neighbouring villages such as Aberffraw, which earlier on was the capital of the Kingdom of Gwynedd until 1170.

One local, who did not wish to be named, said: “A replica of Llys Rhosyr is being built at vast expense at St Fagans.

“But surely the parent site at Newborough should be given equal importance?

“Fresh archaeological evidence from the parent site would only benefit and compliment the interpretation and narrative that accompanies the replica.”

Llys Rhosyr is thought to have been built around 1200 and was one of the royal courts of Llywelyn Fawr.

Historically, the princes travelled from one court to the next administrating justice and collecting taxes. But the buildings fell into disrepair following the killing of his son, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282, later covered by a thick layer of wind-blown sand following a storm in 1332.

Locals retained their knowledge of where it lay, however, guiding acrchaeologists in a 1992 dig which brought around a third of the buildings back to the surface for the first time in 600 years.

GAT officials say that talks are ongoing with CADW, although for the time being at least, falling short of a full excavation.

The cost of a full excavation have not been disclosed.

Andrew Davidson, the Chief Archaeologist, said: “While full excavation can be a costly process which could also disturb the foundations, we were hopeful of being able to carry out this ambitious project, and were optimistic it would being many benefits to the area. But we haven’t turned our attention away from the area by any means.”

A CADW spokesperson said: “Whilst we did not consider that the excavation of Llys Rhosyr was appropriate this year, we have instead agreed to fund the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust to undertake a wider, more community focused programme of excavation, research and recording within the Newborough and Aberffraw area.

“This project will involve the local community and schools, increase our collective understanding of the development and nature of the wider settlement and lead to an increased sense of place and ownership along with a better understanding of how the wider settlement relates to the site of the Llys.

“We have not discounted the possibility of excavation work being undertaken at Llys Rhosyr in the future and the work we have agreed to fund this year may help provide the evidence and justification required for a future excavation.”

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