The Welsh Archaeological Trusts () were the four

archaeological Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

organisations covering

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

, from their establishment in the mid-1970s until their merger into a single archaeological organisation,

Heneb The Welsh Archaeological Trusts () were the four archaeology, archaeological organisations covering Wales, from their establishment in the mid-1970s until their merger into a single archaeological organisation, Heneb, in 2024. Overview They wer ...

, in 2024.

Overview

They were 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 ca ...

. They are independent charitable trusts which together provide a uniform regional archaeology service across

, 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 ...

and the

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW; ; ), established in 1908, is a Welsh Government sponsored body concerned with some aspects of the archaeological, architectural and historic environment of Wales. ...

. 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 A heritage asset is an item which has value because of its contribution to a nation's society, knowledge and/or culture. Such items are usually physical assets, but some countries also ...

management work is supported by

, 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 owner of property, or any transferable right, gives it to another to manage and use solely for the benefit of a designated person. In the English common law, the party who entrusts the property is k ...

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 ( ; ) is a coastal City status in the United Kingdom, city and the List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, second-largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of ...

. The site was launched by

Alun Ffred Jones Alun Ffred Jones (born 29 October 1949) is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru and former television producer, writer and director. Jones was the National Assembly for Wales Member for Caernarfon 2003–07 and for the newly created ...

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 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.

Merger

In September 2023 the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts agreed to merge. As part of this process, in November 2023 the

Dyfed Archaeological Trust The Dyfed Archaeological Trust () was one of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts established in the mid-1970s and dissolved in 2024 when it became Heneb, an archaeological organisation covering all of Wales. Overview It had the charitable ...

changed its name to Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. In April 2024 the other three ''Welsh Archaeological Trusts'' joined Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. The resulting organisation has a pan-Wales overview, whilst maintaining regionally-based operations.

References

External links

Heneb: The Trust for Welsh ArchaeologyCadw 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 {{Wales-org-stub

Overview

Merger

See also

References

External links