Traces of the Original Structure Found at Nevern Castle

NORTH PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES—This summer, excavations at Nevern Castle uncovered evidence that the original earth and timber castle, which was built by Robert FitzMartin after the Anglo-Norman conquest of Pembrokeshire, was smaller in area than previously thought. It did, however, enclose enough space to protect the 18 houses mentioned in early twelfth-century documents. The castle was probably captured by the Welsh and held for several decades until later in the twelfth century, when it was recaptured by the Anglo-Normans and rebuilt in stone. Archaeologists found traces of a clay-floored cottage, pottery, and glass bottles dating to the eighteenth century, along with a fine bone nit comb.