Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales |
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| Co-located at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth | |
| Type | National archives |
| Established | 1908 |
| Reference to legal mandate | Established by Royal Warrant on 10 August 1908. |
| Location | Aberystwyth |
| Coordinates | 52°24′52″N 4°4′8″W / 52.41444°N 4.06889°W |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Printed Works, Maps, Archives, Manuscripts, Photographs, Paintings |
| Size | 2M Photographs, 530,000 pages of text and reports, 125,000 Drawings, 32,000 Maps |
| Criteria for collection | Acquisition through purchase, bequest and archival deposit |
| Legal deposit | Yes |
| Access and use | |
| Access requirements | Library open to all. |
| Other information | |
| Director | Christopher Catling |
| Staff | around 30 FTE |
| Phone number | +44 1970 621200 |
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) is a special group in Wales. It was started in 1908. Its job is to look after and record old buildings, historical places, and archaeological sites in Wales. You can find their main office in Aberystwyth.
The RCAHMW keeps a huge collection of information called the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). This collection has an online part called Coflein. Professor Nancy Edwards is currently in charge of the Commissioners.
Contents
What the Royal Commission Does
The Royal Commission helps manage Wales's old buildings, archaeological sites, and maritime heritage (things found in the sea). They gather, keep, and share information for everyone. This includes people making decisions, researchers, and the general public.
To do this, they:
- Explore, understand, and record human-made places in Wales.
- Build and look after the National Monuments Record of Wales.
- Help people learn about this information in many ways.
The Royal Commission works closely with other groups in Wales. These include Cadw and the Welsh Archaeological Trusts.
A Look at History
Back in 1882, a law was made to protect old monuments in Britain. This law encouraged owners to give important sites to the government for safekeeping. It also warned people not to damage these sites.
The first list of protected monuments was created after asking local history groups for help. An inspector named General Pitt-Rivers traveled around to find and check sites. But it was hard because there wasn't much information about many of them.
In Wales, only three sites were on this first list: Plas Newydd megalith, Arthur's Quoit, and Pentre Ifan.
By the early 1900s, it became clear that a full list of all archaeological sites was needed. This would help choose the best ones for protection. So, in 1908, special Royal Commissions were set up for Scotland, England, and Wales. Their main job was to list not just old monuments but also buildings.
On August 10, 1908, King Edward VII officially started the Royal Commission for Wales. Its task was to "make a list of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions" in Wales. They also had to point out which ones were most important to save. This list was very important because people didn't know enough about the country's old sites.
Similar Royal Commissions were also started for Scotland and England in the same year.
Early Leaders and Staff
The first leaders of the Commission were important men in Welsh culture. They helped a lot because they were part of other old scholarly groups. For the first 40 years, the Commission was based in London. This made it easy to get to places like the British Museum.
The first chairman was John Rhŷs, a professor from Oxford University. He helped publish the first four inventory books. These books listed monuments in different Welsh counties. Later, Evan Vincent Evans became chairman. He was an accountant and journalist who knew many Welsh politicians.
The early staff included people like Edward Owen, the first secretary. He was a historian and lawyer who helped set up the Commission. Other early staff members included George Eyre Evans, a prolific writer about old things, and Alfred Neobard Palmer, a chemist who became a local historian. An architect named Ivor Mervyn Pritchard also helped a lot. He made plans, drawings, and took many photographs for the inventory books.
First Inventory Books
The Commission's first inventory books were praised in Parliament. But the First World War slowed things down. Edward Owen kept the work going, and the Carmarthenshire book was published in 1917.
After the war, there were money problems. Some people wondered if the Royal Commission should continue. But the chairman, Vincent Evans, sent a copy of the Merioneth book to the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George. The Prime Minister praised their work, and the Commission was saved.
The Commission also started to get involved in other areas. For example, they spoke up about saving a medieval town wall in Chepstow. They also helped with excavations at a Roman fort. People often asked them for information on many historical topics.
By the mid-1920s, new ideas in archaeology meant the Commission needed to change. The Pembrokeshire book, published in 1925, was criticized for not having enough new fieldwork. Edward Owen agreed that they needed to keep up with new research.
New guidelines were put in place. The Commission started to focus more on fieldwork and making full records of each site. They also began to identify different types of structures. They started to pay special attention to all kinds of homes, even "humbler dwellings." They also brought in expert advisers like John Edward Lloyd and Mortimer Wheeler.
Wilfred J. Hemp took over as secretary. He was an experienced inspector of Welsh monuments. He helped put the new guidelines into action. The annual budget was increased, but it was still a struggle to find enough expert staff.
The Anglesey inventory book was published in 1937. It set the standard for future books. It focused on comparing sites and buildings to understand past societies better. The book was highly praised for its detailed approach.
Work then began on the Caernarfonshire inventory. But the Second World War caused major delays. During the war, Wilfred Hemp ran the Commission from his home. After the war, he retired.
After the Second World War
During the war, a new project started: the National Buildings Record. This was created in 1940 because people worried that buildings might be destroyed by bombs. It collected many photographs and drawings of buildings. After the war, these photographers started recording buildings that were going to be torn down.
In 1949, A. H. A. Hogg became the new secretary. He was an engineer with a strong interest in archaeology. He decided to move the Commission to Aberystwyth. This was a good central location in Wales, and it was close to The National Library of Wales. The Commission has been in Aberystwyth ever since.
The staff grew in the 1950s and 1960s. They became experts in surveying and recording sites and buildings. They also got a specialist photographer and illustrator. This helped the three Caernarfonshire books, published between 1956 and 1964, keep up the high standards.
The Commission also decided to record buildings built up to 1750, and even some up to 1850. This showed that their idea of "historic monuments" was changing. The Caernarfonshire books were groundbreaking. They recorded hundreds of old huts and field systems. They also included detailed descriptions of places like Caernarfon Castle.
National Monuments Record of Wales
In 1963, the National Buildings Record joined the three Royal Commissions. In Wales, this new combined collection was called the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). It became a huge national archive of archaeological sites and buildings. Its main goals were to "index all monuments" and "fill the gaps in that information." This led to a detailed card index for every known site in Wales.
Monuments in the National Monuments Record of Wales are given a special number called a National Primary Record Number (NPRN).
When the Commission started to survey Glamorgan, they found many more complex buildings. They decided to record sites by period and type of monument, rather than by parish. This was a big change.
The Royal Commission also started to share information with local councils in 1969. They wanted to quickly survey monuments that were at risk from new building projects.
Recording Sites and Discoveries
In 1971, the Commission published a detailed survey of a hut settlement on Gateholm Island. They also published Houses of the Welsh Countryside by Peter Smith (architectural historian) in 1975. This book looked at how Welsh house types changed over time. It was a very important book about the history of homes.
The Royal Commission also did a lot of excavations. For example, they dug up a Roman fort at Pen Llystyn. They also found six new Roman marching camps between 1954 and 1972. In the early 1970s, they started using aerial photography to survey important sites more quickly.
Changes and Modernization
Peter Smith (architectural historian) became the fourth secretary in 1973. He continued the work on the Glamorgan inventory. Five large volumes were published between 1976 and 2000. The Commission also started to look more at industrial remains.
From the 1970s, the Royal Commission's role in excavations changed. New groups called the Welsh Archaeological Trusts were formed to do this work.
In 1988, a report suggested that the Royal Commission needed to change. It said they should focus more on the National Monuments Record. They also needed to use computers more for storing and sharing information. These ideas were accepted by the government.
In 1983, the Ordnance Survey's (OS) archaeology team joined the three Royal Commissions. The OS is the group that makes maps. This meant the Royal Commission took over the job of surveying and keeping records of archaeological sites shown on OS maps. This helps make sure that everyone using an Ordnance Survey map can see the historic sites.
In 1991, a new computer expert was hired. This person helped the Commission start using electronic records. This made it easier to share data with other groups.
Modern Surveys and Outreach
The Commission expanded its aerial survey program in the 1980s. They now survey all the large upland areas of Wales. This has helped find thousands of new sites.
The Commission's staff also worked on big projects like the Welsh Nonconformist Chapels project. They also continued to publish books on different topics and sites. From the 1990s, they started more outreach activities. They now have an education officer and a library that welcomes the public.
The Archive Today
The Royal Commission's archive is a very important part of its work. It now has modern ways to find information. The computerization of records has opened up its huge collection. This includes the largest collection of images of its kind in Wales.
The National Monuments Record has grown quickly with donations from many sources. It also gets transfers from other public groups like Cadw. One important addition was the Aerofilms collection of old aerial photographs in 2008. Today, the NMRW has about 1.5 million images. The Commission is also working to put more of its images online.
Online Access: Coflein
To help people access its collections, the RCAHMW worked with its Scottish partner. This project was called SWISH. It helped create online services like Coflein. Coflein is the online database for the National Monuments Record of Wales. Its name comes from Welsh words meaning "memory" and "line."
Coflein has details of thousands of archaeological sites, monuments, and buildings in Wales. It also has an index to the drawings and photographs in the NMRW archive. Much of the information on Coflein comes from the Historic Environment Records of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts. SWISH also helped create the Historic Wales Portal. This portal gives access to records from many groups, including Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and Cadw.
The SWISH partnership ended in 2019. The Royal Commission is now developing its own system for online access.
TV Show: Hidden Histories
A TV show called Hidden Histories followed the Commission's work. It had five episodes and was shown on BBC2 Wales in 2008 and BBC4 in 2009. A second series was made in 2009. The show was presented by Huw Edwards (journalist).
Services Offered
The RCAHMW looks after the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). This is a national collection of information about Wales's old and historical places. They offer a public information service, using their archives and published sources. RCAHMW staff also provide expert advice.
The NMRW has drawings, photographs, maps, plans, and descriptions for over 80,000 sites. With 1.5 million photographs, it is the biggest photo archive in Wales. The NMRW is mainly for research.
How to Get Information
The National Monuments Record of Wales welcomes questions from anyone interested in Wales's heritage.
Library and Search Room
The Commission has a special library with books and journals. You can visit during public opening hours. You can also buy copies of materials from the archive.
Research and Recording
Since 1908, the Royal Commission has been known for its expertise in surveying and understanding historic buildings and archaeological sites. This includes places on land and under the sea. Today, they use many methods like archaeological surveys, architectural recording, and drone and aerial surveys. They often work with other groups.
The Commission uses new digital technologies to improve its understanding of Wales's heritage. They use tools like Total Station Theodolites and Global Navigation Satellite Systems. They also use laser scanning and photogrammetry to create detailed 3D records of sites. Since 2017, they have used drones for photos and videos of complex sites.
This information is kept in the National Monuments Record of Wales. It creates a lasting record for the future. It is also shared online through platforms like Sketchfab. Surveying and recording are still key to understanding Wales's sites and monuments.
The National Monuments Record of Wales
The National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) holds information about Wales's historic environment. It has almost two million items. These include photographs, drawings, surveys, reports, and maps.
Coflein Online Database
Coflein is the online database for the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). The name comes from the Welsh words cof (memory) and lein (line). Coflein has details of thousands of archaeological sites, monuments, buildings, and maritime sites in Wales. It also has an index to the drawings and photos in the NMRW archive. Coflein is an archive. The Historic Environment Records are managed by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts and are the main active record for all of Wales.
