An archaeological dig near the village of Llangwm has uncovered part of a Mesolithic site which could yield important information about our Stone Age ancestors.

The dig, part of lottery-funded research by the Heritage Llangwm project, set out to find traces of the village’s 12th century Flemish founders, and identified medieval artefacts which are still being analysed.

But it also unearthed a collection of flints now thought to date back to late Mesolithic times, around 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.

The latest information came from an analysis by flint expert Dr. Andrew David.

According to Dr. David, the Llangwm finds were especially interesting because mineral deposits on their surfaces may have had a protective effect, enabling experts to work out their use.

“The pit seems to have landed smack in the middle of a late Mesolithic site similar to the one excavated at site two at Nab Head,” he said.

Nab Head, near Marloes, comprises two Mesolithic sites, one much earlier, dated to about 10,500 years ago, which is seen as an important inland site used seasonally, perhaps in the autumn.

Site two, nearby, was re-occupied later in the Mesolithic period when sea level was higher.

Dr. David also said that the location of this latest site was of additional interest because it was away from the immediate coastline.

It could be seen in the context of other sites discovered further up the Cleddau valley, but contrasting with an earlier Mesolithic site also found recently just outside Llangwm village.

Archaeologist James Meek, of Dyfed Archaeological Trust, who oversaw the Llangwm dig, described the site as ‘very interesting.’

“It was unexpected to find a flint scatter of late Mesolithic date when we were looking for medieval Flemings.

“It’s too early to say if it is of national importance - more work is needed to confirm this.”

Wales, during the Mesolithic period, was populated by hunter gatherers who, as the climate warmed and the ice age came to an end, had to cope with an ever-changing coastline and vegetation.

Late Mesolithic sites like the one at Nab Head (site two) were often to be found near the coast, but Dr. David said it was becoming increasingly clear that hunting took place further inland at places such as this latest site near Llangwm.

Heritage Llangwm is supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £340,000 plus grants from CADW and other organisations.

Archaeologist James Meek will be talking about the results of the dig at a Meet the Experts event organised by Heritage Llangwm on July 2, at 2 pm, at Llangwm Village Hall.