Techniques employed:

Magnetic Susceptibility
Magnetometry
Resistivity

Client: National Trust for Wales and Dyfed Archaeological Trust

A geophysical survey undertaken for Dyfed Archaeological within Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo in February and March 2003 has revealed clear evidence for a Roman fort immediately to the south of Home Farm. The work was undertaken on behalf of the National Trust for Wales who are preparing a conservation plan for Dinefwr Park.  

The fort has multivallate defences and an internal area of 1.54 hectares. The survey produced evidence for external activity alongside roads leading to the fort from the northeast and southeast. A further structure 230m to the northwest may also be related to the fort and could be a bathhouse. The results of the survey strongly suggest that the fort is superimposed over an earlier, larger fort with a slightly different alignment. The full extent of this earlier fort is currently uncertain and it may extend beyond the areas covered by the geophysical survey.

The presence of a fort in Llandeilo has long been suspected and previous finds of pottery and coinage has strongly indicated that the area of Home Farm was the most likely location. An additional small area was surveyed to the north of Newton House to investigate the possible presence of associated 18th century garden features. Several structural features of possible interest were identified although there appeared to be little evidence of a formal garden.

In 2005 The National Trust for Wales and Dyfed Archaeological Trust excavated parts of the site. Information on the dig can be seen on the Dyfed Archaeology's website 

REPRODUCED BY COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL TRUST for WALES and DYFED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST