0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- My name's Dr Iestyn Jones. Some - of you might know me as an actor.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14- I'm passionate - about archaeology and history...
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- ..which has led me - to obtain a doctorate in the field.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- For more than 10 years, I've worked - as a professional archaeologist.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27- Throughout this series, I'll visit - sites up and down the country...
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- ..that have never been excavated - before to uncover Wales' history.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- This week, - we're in Lledrod, Ceredigion.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- There's an abundance of roads - in this area.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Talsarn, Bwlch y Sarnau...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- ..Sarnau Mawr.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02- But we'll be searching for a road - that's even older than those.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- Sarn Helen.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- It was a road which connected North - and South Wales in the Roman era.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18- Near the east coast of Wales, - some 10 miles below Aberystwyth...
0:01:18 > 0:01:20- ..is the village of Lledrod.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Amid the beauty - of the Ceredigion countryside...
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- ..is a wealth of history - spanning many centuries.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Somewhere beneath these fields - is a Roman road...
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- ..which was built - 70 years after Christ's birth...
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- ..almost 2,000 years ago.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- I don't know how - such an important road has vanished.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- But we intend to find out.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- This is - the first quandary of the day.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Where are we?
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- Lledrod in north Ceredigion, - searching for Sarn Helen...
0:02:02 > 0:02:07- ..a Roman road which ran all - the way from Llanio to Trawscoed...
0:02:07 > 0:02:09- ..in this part of the world.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15- We've an aerial photograph taken - by the Royal Commission in 2006...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- ..as well as an old map...
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- ..clearly identifying Sarn Elen.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- But we need to - pinpoint it accurately.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- We think we know where it is. - Let's find out.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- To the south - is the fort of Bremia...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..home to a legion - of Spanish soldiers.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- To the north of our site - is the fort of Trawscoed...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- ..where 800 soldiers were based.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- It was discovered in 1959.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Our excavation site - stands in the middle.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53- This story is very personal to me.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- During my childhood - I used to play in Trawscoed...
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- ..which is a few miles - in that direction.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- My mother used to work for - the Ministry of Agriculture.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- In the summer, - when the place was empty...
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- ..we children wandered around - and played in the forest...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- ..or played tennis.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Back then, I didn't know there was - a Roman fort beneath my feet.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- It was something - I learnt later in life.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- The fort - has already been excavated...
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- ..and more information - has been gleaned.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- I was brought up in a village - called Llanfihangel y Creuddyn...
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- ..where the name Sarnau...
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- ..is derived from Sarn Helen...
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- ..the road which leads - from one fort to the other.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- Archaeologists don't know exactly - where Sarn Helen lies in this area.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- There are several possible sites...
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- ..though no-one can agree - on a specific location.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- I'm trying to get a head start - on the excavation work...
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- ..by scanning the site - with a metal detector...
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- ..to see - if there's anything of interest.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- The machine itself might displace - something and then we'd lose it.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- If we find something, we can - mark its location, just in case.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- OK, you'll have to start again now.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- I have to make it fun - at the same time.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- That's enough playing around, - it's time to dig the first trench.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- Our experienced team includes Jerry - Bond and Erika Guttmann-Bond...
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- ..who will assist me - during the excavation.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- The first trench will be dug where - a dry patch of grass appeared...
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- ..in the aerial photograph - taken in the summer of 2006.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- Summer - - you know, that long, dry spell.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- The complete opposite - of today's weather...
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- ..but never mind, - I'm enjoying myself.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- We've just started - excavating the site.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- There's a big difference already, - which is very encouraging.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- This is solid - and contains lots of stones.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- It's obviously grit - that's been put there for a purpose.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- I can't judge this by itself.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- I'd have to see what's on - the other side of the trench.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- There's clay over here, - and in this cross-section...
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- ..there are no stones at all - in these layers.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- There's a marked difference - between what's here...
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- ..and this portion here, - which is hopefully the road.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- While the excavation continues...
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- ..come and join me - in the Land Rover.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- This is the way - the Romans built roads.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- There wasn't one specific way...
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- ..but people think there was.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- It's believed that they had - two ditches like that...
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- ..and some sort of elevation...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- ..and the soil on the other side.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- The soil goes on the top.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Large stones go here...
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- ..and sometimes - there's gravel on top of it.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- It's compressed like that.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- The purpose of the ditches either - side was to hold the rainwater...
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- ..so that it wouldn't freeze - and degrade the surface of the road.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- Of course, they had other ways - of building roads elsewhere.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49- In Italy, they used large stones - that were more or less slabs.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- They create a dramatic entrance - into a city or town.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Here in Wales...
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- ..we wouldn't expect to see - such roads in mountainous areas.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- We'd expect something - resembling this apple tart.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- Layers of stones, - stone on the bottom, gravel...
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- ..and large stones on the surface.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- I'd like to find - a ditch somewhere here...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- ..because we could - remove the earth...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- ..and find stuff we can date.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Another thing worth noting - is that the Romans...
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- ..buried the dead at the roadside, - but usually it was next to a fort.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- I'm not expecting to find - a skeleton in the countryside.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- But you never know!
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- Despite the rain, - this trench looks very promising...
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- ..though things - are unclear at the moment.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- We've extended - this side of the trench...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- ..because it's hard to tell - what's been happening.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- There are different layers - in the clay.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- You can see that - from the area Erika's transected.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- By extending it, we can see - the layers are the same...
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- ..as if we're looking at a plan - rather than a cross-section.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- We'd expect to see a ditch - on this side of a Roman road.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- There's no sign of one as yet...
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- ..but we'll have a - better understanding of the geology.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- We're going to extend the entire - trench, lengthways and widthways.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Off we go then.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- While Colin widens the trench, - we'd better get out of the way.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- While earth's being moved, it's - discussion time for archaeologists.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- There are a number of reasons - for extending the trench.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- A wider trench - makes working within it easier.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- It can also provide us with - a more comprehensive cross-section.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- At the moment, the compressed stones - suggest a road's surface.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- Though there are no obvious gutters - to be seen on either side...
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- ..the surrounding land - is very absorbent...
0:09:01 > 0:09:06- ..which suggests gutters weren't - always required in the uplands.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- In the meantime, - we've erected measuring poles...
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- ..following the direction - of the road.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18- I intend excavating a second trench - on the other side of the field...
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- ..to see if the road continues.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- It will be excavated here...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- ..to the south - of the first trench...
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- ..where there's - nothing obvious to see.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- We've just opened this trench.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- The geology is different in here.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- The clay that was obvious - in the other isn't as obvious here.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- It's lower down.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- This sandy grit, which lies - beneath the clay over there...
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- ..is higher up in this one, - so the geology's different.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- But you'd expect that because - it's at the bottom of a hill...
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- ..and the colluvium - would've washed down.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Stones are beginning to appear...
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- ..in the soil further up here.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- That noise indicates - that there's something there.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- That's where - we'd expect the road to be.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- We'll find out shortly.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- The gravel is starting to emerge. - It looks promising.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- It looks promising to me, at least.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- After the break, - I promise to show you the way!
0:10:33 > 0:10:33- .
0:10:35 > 0:10:35- Subtitles
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Welcome back to Lledrod.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- As you can see, - the road is beginning to emerge.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- I've started to open another trench - at the other end of the field.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- At the moment, - the plan is to extend the trench.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- We've just cleaned this, and the - soil is a little darker this end...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- ..than it is on the other.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- This might indicate a ditch, - usually found next to a Roman road.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Or the geology - might be a little different.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- It needs explaining.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- Colin's going to remove - a bit more of the earth.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- Behind me is Amelia, who's scanning - the surface with a metal detector.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Amelia excavated part of - the same road in Trawscoed...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- ..near the Roman fort - a couple of miles in that direction.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- She found nails - on the surface of the road.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- They could be nails - from Roman shoes.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- Hobnails, which are frequent finds.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- She's doing a quick inspection - to see if there's anything here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- While Amelia's - scanning the second trench...
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- ..I've come - a couple of miles south of the site.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- I'm here - at Llwyn Merch Gwilym Farm...
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- ..for the following reason.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Sarn Helen nowadays - is as a modern, straight road...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..with vehicles travelling on it...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..ending in the corner - beyond the trees.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- But over here...
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- ..where our trenches are located...
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- ..Sarn Helen, - as we believe it to be, re-emerges.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- The quickest way of getting - from one place to the other...
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- ..is somewhere beneath my feet - and definitely in this field.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32- We'd expect to find Sarn Helen - running through here.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- But for some reason, it doesn't.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- Why can it no longer be seen?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- From the air, - it's possible to see this road...
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- ..forming a straight line - through the countryside.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- As people move to the country, - modern roads have to adapt...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- ..and deviate from time to time.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- As we reach where I'm standing now, - the modern road veers to the left...
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- ..towards the main road, but if we - follow the original road...
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- ..we'd reach our excavation site.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Now that we've found a road - in our trenches...
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- ..it's very likely that we're - uncovering a part of Sarn Helen.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- I'd better get back to the site.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- I've not had a cuppa for half an - hour. I bet the biscuits have gone.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- While I've been down there...
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- ..Erika has been very busy - digging up this road...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- ..that is incredibly hard.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47- This shows - how the Romans built their roads.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- The layers are fairly clear.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- This is the earth that has - washed down over the centuries...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- ..after the road was utilized.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- So this is the earth - and this here is a greyish layer.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- It's very, very hard.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- Interestingly, - beneath this hard layer...
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- ..are stones like this.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- These have - obviously come from a local quarry.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- It's hard to imagine people - transporting these from far away.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- Here they are. This is the type - of road we're dealing with.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- It's solid.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36- It's remarkable to think that a road - built almost 2,000 years ago...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- ..remains intact.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- I could almost drive a car - over the surface of it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- It's testament - to the Romans' skill and expertise.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- I'm here at the second trench, - the road is over there.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- What we've been looking for...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- ..in both trenches - is a ditch within a ditch.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- That's the road.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Usually, there was a ditch - each side of the road...
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- ..to prevent water from settling - on the surface, causing it to erode.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- It's quite possible - that there's a ditch here.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- It requires careful inspection.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- There are differences - in the soil quality and its colour.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- It looks grey here, - indicating the surface of the road.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- It then turns into - a brownish colour...
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- ..and here, at the side.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- What I'm looking for - in the trench...
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- ..are small pieces of charcoal.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- One way of differentiating - between natural geology...
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- ..where there has been - no human intervention...
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- ..and geology where the earth - has been excavated and so on...
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- ..is small pieces of charcoal - that will help date this road.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- There's an obvious difference - between natural earth...
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- ..and farmed earth.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- It's possible - that there was a ditch here.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- There's only one way to find out.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- We'll take a cross-section of it...
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- ..and analyse a soil sample - so that we can date it.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Why does the road exist here?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- It connected two Roman forts.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- But why did they exist?
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- We might find a clue at a site - which predates Roman times.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- In a powerful stronghold overlooking - Lledrod in the Trawscoed Valley...
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- ..is the Gaer Fawr hill-fort.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- From the air, it's possible to see - the embankments and ditches...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- ..which surround the hill-fort.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- They've been carved by hand - from solid stone.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- The size and scale of the site - is astounding.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- It would've dominated - the entire area during the Iron Age.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- This was the stronghold of the - Ordovices before the Roman invasion.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- Fierce battles - took place during this era.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- More than likely, Trawscoed - hill-fort was built nearby...
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- ..so that Roman soldiers - could control this area.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- They were merciless, and after - beating the Welsh into submission...
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- ..some of the natives - were forced into slavery.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- It's possible - that it was these Welsh slaves...
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- ..who built Sarn Helen...
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- ..under the strict supervision - of the Romans.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- While Debbie - was cleaning the road...
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- ..she found a small piece of metal.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- It's rounded and very small.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- It looks - as though it could be a nail...
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- ..that has broken.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- In the past, hobnails - from Roman shoes have been found.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- They sometimes became slack - and fell on the ground.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- It's possible that's what it is.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- An expert will have to - verify it, of course...
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- ..as with all things like this...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- ..but well done.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- It's the first thing we've uncovered - from this trench. Brilliant.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Part of a nail - from a Roman's shoe...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- ..that hasn't seen daylight - for 2,000 years.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- This will be recorded while we - carry on with the excavation work.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- Here we are again. - The weather is horrendous.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- The wind and rain - make it all incredibly miserable.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Archaeologists - don't do it for the weather.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- We certainly don't do it - for the money.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- You certainly - have to be a bit mad to do it.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- But the forecast - is better for this afternoon.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- I hope so! This rain is unforgiving.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- At the other end of the trench, - the team has to clear the rainwater.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- At least it proves - that the road's surface works.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- Thank you very much!
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- I'll move to the second trench, - where I'll be left in peace.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Trench number two.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- The weather - is the same as it was up there.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- Wind and rain, but there's - more shelter the deeper down I go.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- The lower, the better - until I'm almost lying down...
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- ..and then I'll hide - for the rest of the day.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Maybe not.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- I've found - the side of the road here.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- There's a large stone at the side - similar to a revetment stone...
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- ..to protect the road.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- I'm hoping to find - the side of the ditch...
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- ..which comes down here - and up that side.
0:19:49 > 0:19:55- I'll see it - in the transection of this trench.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- It'll become clearer - once I tidy this area.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- With just one afternoon left, - the first trench looks amazing.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- Up here we see the clay rising...
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- ..and suddenly there's a change - in the colour and level.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- This is where the road begins.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- Here are the large stones - at the side of the road.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- We've graded it in steps - to make it more noticeable...
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- ..so we can get a clear picture - of the transection...
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- ..and the way - the level of the road...
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- ..rises and falls on the other side.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- It reveals itself now.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- It's clearly a Roman road.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- These three days have flown by.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- It's been a special experience - for me, despite the elements.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Now the excavation work is over, - it's time to record the data.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- The location of the trenches, - every layer of earth...
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- ..and every piece of charcoal.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- From the aerial photograph, - we've managed to see and feel...
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- ..an important part - of this area's history.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- Before I leave, I visit - a field north of the site...
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- ..which overlooks - this picturesque valley.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- To the north - of our excavation site...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- ..is this vantage point...
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- ..where it's possible - to see the Ystwyth Valley...
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- ..in the distance over there.
0:21:36 > 0:21:42- Gaer Fawr, an Iron Age hill-fort...
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- ..is in - a prominent position over there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- Our road would've stretched from - Llanio, a Roman fort and baths...
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- ..all the way through our trenches - across this hill...
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- ..past Gaer Fawr...
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- ..towards - the Roman fort of Trawscoed.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- The road would've connected - Llanio and Carmarthen...
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- ..to Caernarfon in the north...
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- ..straight through our trenches, - down through the valley...
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- ..and onwards towards North Wales.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- It's remarkable to think that men...
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- ..built a road connecting South and - North Wales such a long time ago.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Large parts of this road - still remain intact.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- The next time you travel along - a long, straight road in Wales...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- ..it might possibly be a Roman road.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- It's now time - to bury our trenches...
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- ..and shield this special part - of Sarn Helen from the elements.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- I'm not at all sad.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- One of the things - I wanted to do as a child...
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- ..was discover - a piece of Sarn Helen, a Roman road.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58- I've had the opportunity to do that, - so I've realized a lifelong dream.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- But do you know what?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- I have lots of dreams...
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- ..and there are many other sites - I want to excavate too.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Off I go.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:38 > 0:23:38- .