ABERPORTH AIRFIELD PHASE 2 Ceredigion Archaeological Assessment Report (revised)

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) were invited by White Young Green Environmental Ltd to undertake an archaeological assessment of the second phase of development at Aberporth airfield (SN 255 495) as part of an Environmental Impact
Assessment. The development is proposed to include a westward diversion to the B4333 in conjunction with the redevelopment of the main airfield site. The assessment involved a desk-based study of the location of archaeological sites to the west of the main airfield
site; however a rapid walk-over survey of the site has yet to be completed. The desk-based study involved an enhancement of the previous Phase One assessment report in light of further work (Cambria Archaeology 2004) and an investigation of pertinent documents held by the Dyfed Sites and Monuments Record, the National Library of Wales, and the National Monuments Record in Aberystwyth for the area
included in Phase Two of the proposed redevelopment work.
The NMR and Dyfed SMR recorded a further three sites of archaeological interest, including the existence of a Bronze Age round cairn at the eastern edge of the study area,
at Crug-gwyn, a cremation burial on the south-west edge of the assessment area at Tremaen and the standing buildings of Pen-y-bryn farm which has recently been added to the SMR.
The rest of the sites identified by the desk-based study consisted of post-medieval structures which included houses and farms at Crug-gwyn (Site 22), Cyttir Mawr (Site
31) and Pen-llas (Site 32), along with an un-named structure shown on the tithe map (Site 34), several quarries, a spring and the sewage works associated with the construction of
the airfield.
The sites have been graded in terms of archaeological significance. The possible cairn (Site 25) and cremation burial have been graded as of regional importance,reflecting the potential prehistoric date and degraded condition. Similarly, the airfield perimeter defensive system (Sites 2-10), formed by pillboxes, is considered to be of regional
importance, reflecting the integrated nature of the system and its relatively good survival. The slight realignment of the proposed diversion of the B4333 in January 2005 led to the reappraisal of the desk-based results. The only significant change caused by the realignment was to avoid two sites (33 and 34), which would previously have been
impacted upon. A walk-over survey, however is still required to ensure that no impact upon these sites will occur.
It is recommended that an archaeological evaluation be undertaken at selected sites; however, the precise programme of evaluation will be subject to a walk-over survey yet
to be undertaken. Evaluation trenching may be needed in the general vicinity of the grid references supplied for the round barrow (Site 25) and Cremation burial (Site 24), should the proposed development encroach into their areas.