A PROJECT launched to research sites of archaeological interest in Cwmbran received a £48,000 funding boost.
The Ancient Cwmbran and Cistercians Partnership will spend the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to investigate several sites in Thornhill and Greenmeadow, many of which have never been previously explored and one of which dates back more than 3,500 years.
Archaeologists will work with volunteers from the local community to carry out the research over the next year.
The project will also celebrate the medieval pilgrim heritage of the area through an arts project and the production of a heritage walks leaflet.
The project’s research co-ordinator Richard Davies said: "These unrecorded sites are a real mystery, I have shown them to several archaeologist and we are all still scratching our heads."
The partnership consists of Cwmbran Historical Society, Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, University of Wales, Newport, Torfaen Museum Trust, Communities First Thornhill, the Co-Star Partnership and Torfaen council.
It has also received funding from Cwmbran Regeneration Partnership and Torfaen council.---www.southwalesargus.co.uk