Heatwave in Wales reveals ancient ruins

One benefit of the heatwave sweeping Wales is that it is bringing history to life.

Because fields are dry from the heat, the outlines of ancient settlements buried underneath farmland are now visible from the air. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is snapping photos of the crop marks, which will disappear as soon as it rains.

There are ancient settlements across Wales, and most had drainage ditches around them, BBC News reports. When the settlements disappeared, the ditches were filled in, and now that it's farming land, the soil is deeper where the ditches once were. When it's hot and the land dries out, the old fortifications retain moisture, and the crops there are lush, making them stand out. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has recently taken photos of a medieval castle mound, buried ramparts, and a prehistoric farm.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up