History of the area
The prehistoric and Roman periods (8500 BC - c.400 AD)
Talley lies within a region rich in prehistoric archaeology represented by, for example, a possible stone circle of neolithic/bronze age date at Cefn-blaidd, one mile east of Talley (PRN 8090), and bronze age (2500 BC - 700 BC) standing stones, including a good example at Edwinsford (PRN 1892) immediately west of the project area. Palaeoenvironmental analysis of pollen samples from Talley Lakes, suggests a major woodland clearance phase that may be of Bronze Age date (Butler, 1984, 10), but is inconclusive and revealed no evidence of Iron Age (700 BC - 1st century AD) or Roman (1st century AD - c.400 AD) occupation (ibid.). However, the surrounding region is characterised by a number of Iron Age hillforts. Meanwhile, there was a considerable Roman presence at Pumsaint, six miles to the north, which was the location of a fort and a complex of gold mines. Nevertheless it has been noted above that the major landscape divisions all appear to be later post-medieval creations.
