Atlantic Trading Estate facts for kids
The Atlantic Trading Estate is a special area in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales, UK, where many businesses and factories are located. It's like a business park. It sits close to the Cadoxton River, which flows into the Bristol Channel. This estate covers an area of about 9.22 acres. Before it became a trading estate, it was used as a storage place for supplies.
Archaeologists have found some very old things at the estate. They discovered signs of a "prehistoric settlement" and even an "early Christian burial site." This means people lived and were buried there a very long time ago, from the Bronze Age up to Roman times.
History of the Estate
The Atlantic Trading Estate has an interesting past. In 1971, it was mentioned in a report to the government as a new project near Barry. The idea was to create more jobs for people in the area. Over the years, different companies have set up businesses there. For example, in 2001, a company called APC Panels wanted to build a new factory and offices.
The estate has also seen some challenges, like accidental fires or damage. However, there have been many positive changes too. In 2007, a new recycling center was planned for the estate. This center helps people recycle many things like glass, plastic, and old appliances. In 2011, they added facilities to recycle oil.
Looking to the future, in 2014, there were plans to build a tall wind turbine on the estate. This turbine would help create clean, renewable energy. This is important for reducing pollution and helping the environment.
Ancient Discoveries at the Site
The land where the Atlantic Trading Estate now stands is very old. Experts have dug up and studied many ancient items there. They found pottery from the Middle Bronze Age, as well as pieces of pots called "beaker," "food vessel," and "collared urn." These were found near a round-house, which was a type of circular home built with wooden planks. They also found parts of an Iron Age pot.
Even more exciting, archaeologists found over 40 burials in a small, ancient cemetery from the Roman period. This kind of cemetery is quite rare for that time in southeastern Wales. Scientists even found links between some of the skeletons, suggesting they might have been part of the same family group.
Interestingly, when workers were building the old supply depot on the site, they found human remains. Some of these were in lead coffins decorated with scallop shells. However, there wasn't an official record of this discovery at the time, as much of the lead was sold.
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