Bronze Age discoveries

The fire, which destroyed a large area of heather and scrub above Fishguard ferry port, revealed the remains of a Bronze Age burial mound and small stretches of field boundaries, suggesting that this was a farmed landscape in prehistoric times. The land is owned by the National Trust and Stena Sealink, and is only used by grazing stock, fishermen and walkers.

Archaeologist Polly Groom, of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, surveyed the fire-blackened area before the vegetation regenerated and she is very enthusiastic about her finds, which are detailed in a new report, published with Cambria Archaeology. "We believed this could be a Bronze Age burial site, dating from perhaps 3,000 years ago, but now we have the proof," said Polly.

"There is some stonework remaining from what we consider to be a burial mound. We have also found what appear to be the remains of prehistoric field boundaries." Much more recent human activity on the exposed headland has also come to light. Polly said that several artificial rabbit mounds, known as pillow mounds, had been identified. "Man-made rabbit mounds were constructed as rabbits were an important source of fresh meat."

Modern industrial archaeology has also been identified, including a deep pit used for storing explosives during the construction of Fishguard Harbour and stone safety shelters, used by workmen when cliff areas were being dynamited during construction.

"The sites have been accurately plotted so they can be protected from damage in the future. Coastal slope grazing should help to ensure that the sites are not lost under waist-high scrub again," Polly added.