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| National Monuments Record of Wales | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Monuments Record of Wales |
| Native name | Cofnod Amgueddfeydd Cenedlaethol Cymru |
| Established | 1970s |
| Location | Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales |
| Type | archive, heritage record |
| Parent institution | Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales |
National Monuments Record of Wales is the principal archive and inventory documenting archaeological sites, historic buildings, maritime heritage and landscape features across Wales. It functions as a statutory record and research resource that supports heritage protection, planning decisions and scholarly study, holding maps, photographs, drawings and reports. The archive interfaces with regional authorities, national agencies and tertiary institutions to coordinate survey, conservation and public access.
The origins trace to the establishment of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales which followed models like the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Early activities linked to post‑war initiatives such as the Ancient Monuments Act 1913 and subsequent legislation influenced by heritage debates in the United Kingdom and campaigns led by figures associated with the Society of Antiquaries of London. During the mid‑20th century the archive expanded through fieldwork inspired by continental inventories like the Monuments Historiques in France and national surveys promoted by the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Collaborations with university departments at Cardiff University, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University enhanced archaeological recording methods, while projects during the 1970s and 1980s paralleled initiatives by the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England).
The record encompasses material ranging from prehistoric sites such as Pentre Ifan and Caerau Hillfort through Roman remains like Segontium and medieval castles including Caernarfon Castle and Cardiff Castle, extending to industrial heritage at sites like Big Pit and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Holdings include aerial photography collections comparable to archives held by the Royal Air Force reconnaissance programmes, documentary maps including Ordnance Survey sheets, measured drawings akin to the output of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, photographic negatives and digital survey datasets such as LiDAR used in landscape archaeology paralleling work by the Centre for Advanced Welsh Archaeology. The archive also houses maritime records related to ports like Swansea Docks and shipwrecks off Anglesey, as well as vernacular architecture inventories from towns including Llangollen and Hay-on-Wye.
Administratively the record operates under the aegis of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and liaises with national bodies such as Cadw and the National Library of Wales. Governance frameworks reflect statutory duties arising from legislation like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and planning instruments coordinated with local planning authorities including county councils for Ceredigion and Gwynedd. Professional staffing comprises archivists, archaeologists, conservators and surveyors trained in methods promoted by the Institute for Archaeologists and standards reflected in the European Archaeological Council. Financial oversight involves public funding streams similar to those administered by the Welsh Government and project grants from cultural funders such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Public access is provided through reading rooms, exhibitions and outreach programmes in partnership with institutions such as the National Museum Cardiff and community groups in places like Rhondda Cynon Taf. Educational activities target schools and higher education departments including Trinity College, Carmarthen and support curricular work referencing historic sites like Beddgelert and St Davids Cathedral. The record supports planning consultees, heritage consultants, and commercial archaeologists undertaking work under licences issued by the Historic Environment Service. Outreach also involves festivals and events coordinated with organizations such as the Royal Commission’s public engagement teams and collaborations with local heritage trusts.
A major programme has focused on digitizing photographic negatives, maps and survey datasets, following international practices exemplified by the Digital Archives Initiative and standards promulgated by the International Council on Archives. Online catalogues link to resources held by the National Library of Wales and interoperable datasets are exposed via portals compatible with systems used by the People's Collection Wales and the Historic Environment Records network. Geospatial layers derived from LiDAR and aerial photography integrate with mapping platforms like the Ordnance Survey and provide researchers and planners with tools comparable to those used by Historic England. Digital preservation strategies adhere to guidelines from the British Standards Institution and digital humanities projects at universities.
The record underpins conservation policy by providing baseline data for interventions at sites such as Harlech Castle and Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, informing conservation management plans developed with conservation bodies including ICOMOS and professionals from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. It supports academic research across disciplines at institutions like University of Wales Trinity Saint David and facilitates postgraduate theses, comparative studies and synthetic regional surveys similar to long‑running programmes at the Council for British Archaeology. Forensic recording methods and building pathology studies draw on expertise linked to the Royal Institute of British Architects and specialist conservation laboratories.
Significant projects include landscape surveys of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park undertaken with the National Trust, industrial recording at Blaenavon in partnership with the UNESCO World Heritage designation process, and coastal erosion monitoring coordinated with environmental bodies such as Natural Resources Wales. Collaborative digitization initiatives have connected holdings with the Europeana network and thematic cataloguing projects have been delivered with partners including the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and the Archaeology Data Service. Conservation-led research has informed restoration at sites like Conwy Castle and adaptive reuse case studies supported by civic bodies such as Swansea Council.
Category:Archives in Wales Category:Historic environment of Wales Category:Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales