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Reconstructing one of the medieval courts of the Welsh Princes is progressing well according to museum chiefs

The National Museum of Wales at St Fagans, near Cardiff, is world-famous for moving historic buildings stone-by-stone.

But as part of its ‘Making History’ project, archaeology and specialist building skills are being combined to bring lost buildings to life.

Work has already started on the building of Bryn Eryr - two Iron Age roundhouses based on archaeology from Pentraeth on Anglesey .

Meanwhile, the painstaking task of rebuilding Llys Rhosyr also continues, one of the courts of the princes of Gwynedd that was uncovered on the outskirts of Newborough by archaeologists in the early 90’s.

On Thursday, museum officials visited local schools on Anglesey to update them on the progress of the build, also giving them the chance to taste life during the heyday of the Welsh Princes.

There, pupils from Bodorgan, Niwbwrch, Dwyran and Llangaffo were shown drawings of how the site would have looked at the time, also joining in on period games and weaponry.

Rebuilding the great hall at Llys Rhosyr is one of the most challenging archaeological projects in Wales, including its nine-metre high (29.5 ft) stone walls and thatched roof.

The work of building an Iron Age Farm at St Fagans started in March 2014, with Bryn Eryr will offer an opportunity to experience life in Wales 2,000 ago, just before the Roman Conquest. Farms like these were owned by wealthy farmers.

The owners of Bryn Eryr grew crops and tended cattle and sheep – trading their produce for salt from England, colourful jewellery and Roman pottery.

Meanwhile, Llys Rhosyr near Newborough was built around 1200 and was one of the royal courts of Llywelyn the Great.

The princes travelled from one court to the next administrating justice and collecting taxes.

The court buildings quickly fell into disrepair after the killing of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282 and the site was covered by a sandstorm in 1332.

In 1992 the site was rediscovered during a Gwynedd Archaeological Trust dig directed by Neil Johnstone, now of Menter Môn.

Around a quarter of the site is now visible, and it is maintained by Menter Môn and the CADW’s Welsh Cultural Heritage Initiative.

Once the reconstruction has been completed it will then be open for overnight stays with schools from Anglesey among the first to sample its facilites.

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