By Gwilym Hughes from Cambria Arhaeology:

Day 1 - June 1 2004

Most of the day was spent setting up the excavation and the campsite. Ten students from the University of Birmingham arrived in the afternoon and work began removing the topsoil from the excavation by machine. The first area to be opened up was Trench 4 (trenches 1, 2 and 3 were excavated during the trial excavation in March). It was located at the southern end of the trackway and it measured 25m by 10m. The top of the gravel overlying the timber structure was clearly exposed and work began on cleaning this for photography.

Day 2 - June 2 2004

The machine moved to the second area to be excavated - Trench 5. This was located near to the northeastern boundary of the field and also measured 25m by 10m. Because this area was in the more waterlogged area of the field it was hoped that the timbers of the trackway would be better preserved. We were not disappointed - the machine soon exposed substantial timber planking. Two fragments of green-glazed pottery, of possible medieval date, were recovered from the overlying gravel. This suggests that the gravel may have been deposited several centuries after the timber trackway had been built. Many thanks to Eifion Jenkins for his expert machining.

Day 3 - June 3 2004

Cleaning continued in both trenches and more of the timber trackway was uncovered. A fragment of possible burnt wood was found in a small pit cut into the trackway in Trench 4. In the afternoon the weather changed with the first rain of the dig. At least it will stop the timbers from drying out!

Day 4 - June 4 2004

In Trench 4, three sections are being excavated through the gravel causeway to examine its structure and to try and recover dating information.

In Trench 5, work has begun exposing the timber trackway. Several well-preserved timbers have now been uncovered.

The site grid is being established and the site is beginning to look like a proper excavation.

Spirits are high despite the constant drizzle! We have now put the excavation to bed for the weekend while both students and staff have a well-earned rest.

Day 5 - June 7 2004

The sun is out! We received our first visit from the press - the local newspaper "The Cambrian News." Hopefully, we will be in Wednesday's edition. Most of the day was spent uncovering more timbers below the gravel in Trench 4.

Day 6 - June 8 2004

A very exciting day. The investigation of the pit at the south end of the trackway in Trench 4 continued. It is much larger than we originally thought and is full of ash. More importantly it appears to continue under the wooden trackway and therefore it must be earlier in date. It could be part of some industrial process and may even be Roman in date. A stone spindle whorl was found at the base of the gravel trackway overlying this large pit. Meanwhile a reporter and film crew from the BBC Welsh language Newyddion programme arrived to film the excavation for S4C.

Day 7 - June 9 2004

The pit under the trackway in Trench 4 is proving to be very complicated. We are starting to wonder if the possible industrial activity suggested by this pit is related to the lead mining activity at Llancynfelyn.

There is an indication that this mining dates back to Roman times. If this is the case then the trackway may have originally provided a route across the marsh between the lead mining and a metal processing area.

We received a visit today by specialists from the Universities of Lampeter, Cardiff and Birmingham and also from Cadw to discuss the progress of the dig.

Day 8 - June 10 2004

Today we received a visit from Talybont Primary School. The children were thrilled to see the excavation on their doorstep.

An auger survey was started. The auger was used to test the depth of the peat and to provide a profile of the edge of the bog.

In Trench 4 the wooden trackway was seen to slump into the underlying and earlier industrial features.

Day 9 - June 11 2004

An extension to Trench 5 revealed more of the timber trackway. One of the new timbers that was uncovered appears to have a carved square hole in one end. Perhaps this piece of wood was reused in the trackway. Another school visit - this time from Craig Yr Wylfa School, Borth.