Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Military personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale recently took part in an archaeological excavation that yielded unexpected findings. This dig, associated with renovation efforts at the Royal Air Force base RAF Valley on Anglesey Island in Wales, led to the discovery of several artifacts that are 2,000 years old!
Credit: Harvey Mills, Defence Infrastructure Organisation – Image compilation AncientPages.com
The excavation was approved by RAF Valley ahead of planned refurbishment works on the site’s airfield, which began in September 2024.
Since 2011, Britain’s war veterans have had opportunities to engage in archaeological digs on defense sites.
Under the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) guidance, this excavation involved military personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale. The initiative aims to support veterans’ health and well-being by offering them a chance to engage actively in such projects. As a result of their efforts, Britain has acquired another significant national treasure.
“Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning program that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can bring,” Veterans Minister Alistair Carns praised the team’s efforts, saying in a press release.
“These finds at RAF Valley are extremely exciting for all involved; the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard is of national importance for Wales, and the United Kingdom as a whole.
“It’s great that the personnel and veterans who take part in Operation Nightingale continue to be rewarded with finds of such historical importance,” DIO’s senior archaeologist, Richard Osgood said.
He further mentioned that he takes pride in the initiative’s role in aiding personnel and veterans during their recovery process. Additionally, he highlighted the significant positive impact this project has had, emphasizing its importance and success.
“We’d been briefed on the sort of things we could expect to find, so when I uncovered the piece, I was pretty sure it was an Iron Age terret ring.
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To say I was over the moon is probably an understatement! I’ve been involved in archaeology for many years, and this was by far the most significant recovery I have ever made,” David Ulke, who found the terret ring, said.
The finds will be handed over to the National Museum of Wales, where they will join items from the original Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
