Powys archaeologists have uncovered a previously undiscovered 2,000-year-old Welsh settlement.

The Welshpool Heneb team have made an extraordinary discovery that has unearthed the remains of an Iron Age settlement in Flintshire, north Wales.

Heneb is an independent archaeology organisation “dedicated to the conservation, investigation, recording and promotion of the historic environment of Wales and beyond”.

The team, which included local students and volunteers, found the remains of two Iron Age roundhouses and a significant collection of artefacts, including a range of Roman ceramics and metalwork.

Late iron age mount found at the dig  (Image: Heneb)

Dr Carol Bell, Chair of Heneb, said: “I am sure that discovering this important find will encourage Edward to learn more about local archaeology and history.

“This is testament to the work Heneb does to inspire the next generation of archaeologists and how our archaeological excavations involve local communities and encourage learning about the past through engagement.”

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Among the finds, the most remarkable discovery was a fully intact Late Iron Age triskele mount, an ornate fitting used for horse bridles depicting a Celtic triskele design that may have been made locally.

This discovery shows that there was clearly a prosperous trading relationship between the native Deceangli tribe and the Romans during the late first century AD.

Coin of the Emperor Trajan found at the siteCoin of the Emperor Trajan found at the site (Image: Heneb)

The artefact was found by a budding young archaeologist, Edward.

"It was amazing," he said. "The fact that it is around 2,000 years old is unbelievable.”

Heneb have said the site was a “ground breaking find” that “not only enriches our understanding of the area's ancient history but will potentially become a valuable addition to the Heritage Park”.

(Image: Heneb)

The excavation aimed to build upon the success of a previous dig in 2023, which identified potentially significant Roman activity in the fields surrounding the remains of Basingwerk Abbey, a scheduled 12th-century Cistercian monastery.

Both excavations are part of a wider program to enhance Greenfield Valley which received funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, as well as a financial contribution from Flintshire County Council and the Greenfield Valley Trust.