Welsh Journals

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III. MEDIEVAL PERIOD Uchelolau (Highlight) Deserted Medieval Village IN 1967, excavations were continued at the deserted medieval village of Uchelolau (ST 096690) by Howard J. Thomas and Gerald Davies, on behalf of the Barry and Vale Archaeological Group. Fragments from the rim and base of a 12th-century Sutton- stone font were recovered from the surface of the field situated north-west of the church. Sufficient remained to show that the font was of squat barrel-shaped form, similar to Cadoxton, Llandow, and Marcross. The font measured 2 ft. 9 in. in diameter, and probably stood between 3 ft. and 3 ft. 6 in. high. The rim possessed a plain heavy moulding and bore traces of a groove for the lid. Exploratory work was carried out on the suspect mill site situated about 500 ft. north-east of the church. In 1966, drain- age operations connected with golf course extensions had here brought to light traces of medieval habitation. In an area of about 200 ft. by 80 ft., extending in a NW-SE direction, parallel to the course of the stream, was revealed a layer of peaty loam about a foot thick, which rested on clean yellow clay, and produced large quantities of 12th, 13th, and 14th-century pottery and food debris. No traces of stone buildings were noted, but the presence of dark stains and patches of charcoal in the clay suggested timber buildings. Within the northernmost part of the occupa- tion spread, one of the drainage trenches had revealed what appeared in section to be part of a crude drystone revetment (Morgannwg X (1966), 65). In March 1967, a trial excavation was carried out. The structure proved to be a corn-drying kiln, consisting of a stone channel 4 ft. 6 in. long by 1 ft. 3 in. wide. The interior of the channel showed signs of severe burning. The immediate surrounds produced large quantities of carbonized grain and burnt brushwood.