PEN Dinas might have been inhabited as far back as 3,200 years ago, a scientific survey has found.

The Aberystwyth hillfort, which was previously understood to date back to the Iron Age, has in fact been found to date back to the Bronze Age after a ‘burial mound’ discovered during its first-ever geophysical survey indicated it would have been inhabited between 1200 and 700 BC.

Karina Shaw, of Penparcau History and Heritage Group, which is a part of Penparcau Community Forum, heralded a “very exciting, significant, historical find” after more than 100 people turned up to a meeting where the findings were unveiled last Saturday.

The survey, which was carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 and 6 April, was conducted by a team of archaeologists from Archaeology Wales, archaeological consultants Trysor, and locals who were able to survey the top of the hill.

In his analysis of the survey’s findings, archaeologist Mark Walters reports: “Bronze Age Burial Mound — The earliest monument on the site dating back to between 1200 and 700 BC.

“It is now represented by a low mound of earth and stone.

“The recent geophysics survey confirmed a circular mound with an outer ditch

“A cremation burial probably underlies the centre of the mound.”

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