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Delving into Flints past
Published: 09/11/2015
Flint is currently the focus of a major archaeological excavation on the site
of the former medieval town which has unearthed secrets of its illustrious past
dating back to the 12th Century
The archaeological excavation has been taking place since January on the site
of the former Leas Council maisonettes site in Flint town centre.
The former maisonettes site has been demolished to make way for the ambitious
redevelopment of a new Extra Care 73 unit scheme which will be built by Pennaf.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) will build a new Medical Centre
on the remainder of the site. Both schemes are scheduled to start on site early
in 2016.
The areas intended for development across the whole regeneration area include
the largest modern re-development of a medieval town and its defensive circuit
ever undertaken in Wales.
Mark Walters, Development Control Archaeologist, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological
Trust,
The development excavation areas are of regional and national archaeological
importance and the archaeology we have found here have provided a unique and
unrepeatable opportunity to fully understand the origins and development of the
town and the people who settled here.
To everyone鈥檚 amazement the trench on the Coleshill frontage revealed intact
archaeology relating to the town defences within just 20 cm of the library
access road surface! This was entirely unexpected as we had thought that the
19th and 20th century expansion of the town would have completely destroyed the
rampart bank in particular.
The single trench to the north of the maisonettes indicated deep demolition
disturbance from the 1960s on the line of the medieval defences, but also the
preservation of the earlier 18th century stone frontage walls on Earl Street
and possible intact medieval and post medieval deposits at greater depth. The
level of preservation of the medieval defences, which turn down Earl Street
from Coleshill Street, is wholly unquantified at this stage for the majority of
the Earl Street frontage as there were no opportunities to sample the defences
due to the presence of the maisonettes on the frontage.
All of the archaeological findings made on the Leas site are being fully
documented and a detailed report, along with photographs will be available for
the public to view at Flint Library and via 天涯社区s website
at the end of November.
Councillor Vicky Perfect, who, along with a number of local elected members had
a guided tour of the site said,
The 天涯社区 community clearly has a huge interest in the archaeology
judging by the number of people looking in each day and reading the information
panels and this is a rare opportunity to engage with the 天涯社区 community
to offer them a better understanding of our past.
Initial investigations are now being undertaken on The Duke Walks, Flint which
is the adjoining former Council maisonettes site and former Police Station and
Magistrates Court which are also earmarked for housing redevelopment early in
2016.
Councillor Ian Roberts, Chair of the Flint Regeneration Steering Group said,
The findings from the archaeological excavation confirms the cultural and
historical significance of Flint town on both a local and national scale. It is
important that future generations have the opportunity to learn of its unique
past. It is important that we now move forward with the redevelopment of Flint
town centre as quickly as possible for the benefit of both local people and
businesses alike.
Councillor Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said,
I am delighted that the exciting development and regeneration work in Flint
Town Centre has also provided a fantastic opportunity for archaeologists to
delve deeper into the rich history of Flint. I would like to thank Pennaf and
BCUHB for their cooperation and the support they have offered to the team
undertaking the excavation.