The Welsh Archaeological Trusts ( cy, Ymddiriedolaethau Archaeolegol Cymru) are four
archaeological
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
organisations established in the mid-1970s to respond to
rescue archaeology
Rescue archaeology, sometimes called commercial archaeology, preventive archaeology, salvage archaeology, contract archaeology, developer-funded archaeology or compliance archaeology, is state-sanctioned, archaeological survey and excavation car ...
. They are independent charitable trusts which together provide a uniform regional archaeology service across
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
, working closely with Welsh Government and local authorities and forming a 'tripod' of archaeology and cultural heritage institutions with
Cadw
(, a Welsh verbal noun meaning "keeping/preserving") is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group. works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage s ...
and the
.
The Trusts maintain
Historic Environment Records for their respective areas to provide archaeological advice to central government, planning authorities and other public bodies. This
heritage
Heritage may refer to:
History and society
* A heritage asset is a preexisting thing of value today
** Cultural heritage is created by humans
** Natural heritage is not
* Heritage language
Biology
* Heredity, biological inheritance of physical c ...
management work is supported by
Cadw
(, a Welsh verbal noun meaning "keeping/preserving") is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group. works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage s ...
, together with associated archaeological projects and conservation of sites and historic landscapes. Although they perform some of the functions that elsewhere in the UK are delivered by public bodies, the Welsh Archaeological Trusts are independent charities with political and operational autonomy. The Welsh Archaeological Trusts also generate income by providing archaeological consulting and contracting services for a range of clients - both in Wales and elsewhere. They also deliver a wide range of public engagement and archaeological outreach events and activities, with funding from many sources.
The four
trusts
A trust is a legal relationship in which the holder of a right gives it to another person or entity who must keep and use it solely for another's benefit. In the Anglo-American common law, the party who entrusts the right is known as the "settl ...
comprise:
The Welsh HERs were made statutory by the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016. This placed an obligation on Welsh Ministers to maintain the HERs, and this duty is discharged by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.
On 1 July 2010 the four Welsh Trusts launched their online searchable HER website known as ''Archwilio'', at the Treftadaeth Conference in
Swansea
Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Swansea ( cy, links=no, Dinas a Sir Abertawe).
The city is the twenty-fifth largest in ...
.
The site was launched by
Alun Ffred Jones AM, Minister for Heritage, who observed ''“Wales is the first country in Britain that has made all its archaeological records available online”, and “Archwilio will be a tremendous asset not only for the people of Wales but also for those further afield who have an interest in the rich archaeology and cultural heritage of our country”''.
The Welsh Trusts launch Archwilio
/ref> The site contains the combined record of the four Trusts and gives the public free access to over 100,000 pieces of information about historic sites across Wales.
See also
*Archaeology of Wales
The archaeology of Wales (Welsh: ''Archaeoleg Cymru'') is the study of human occupation within the country of Wales which has been occupied by modern humans since 225,000 BCE, with continuous occupation from 9,000 BCE. Analysis of the sites, arte ...
References
External links
Cadw overview of legislation and guidance
* ttp://www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk/40years.pdf 'Archaeology in Trust' booklet celebrating 40 years of the Welsh Archaeological Trustsbr>Archwilio websiteThe Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust websiteThe Dyfed Archaeological Trust websiteThe Gwynedd Archaeological Trust website
Archaeology of Wales
Archaeological organizations
Historical organisations based in Wales
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