10,000-year-old trees uncovered by storms on beach at Newgale in Pembrokeshire

A FOREST frequented by hunter gatherers up to 10,000 years ago has been uncovered during storms at Newgale in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

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Archaeologists from the National Park Authority have been working with colleagues from Pembrokeshire County Council to protect the remains of the forest as part of a clean-up operation following the high tides.

The forest was uncovered at Newgale when the pebble bank sea defence was pushed back across the road by the power of the sea.

When the stormy weather had died down, the forest remains were revealed on the beach.

The National Park Authority’s culture and heritage manager Phil Bennett said: “We’ve known of the existence of this forest for many years but I, for one, have never seen it so close to the road.

“The storms and high seas have pushed the pebble bank back and scoured the sand, exposing the remains of this woodland. We have been able to identify some recognizable timbers from the Mesolithic period.

“Ten thousand years ago this woodland area would have been visited by hunter gatherer bands from time to time, looking for game and collecting edible plants, nuts and berries as these resources became available during the year.” [...] southwales-eveningpost.co.uk