AN archaeological society has made new discoveries in Blaenau Gwent.

Aberystruth History and Archaeology has found two new prehistoric sites and new farms that previously were unknown since obtaining a £37,000 Heritage Lottery Fund last year.

Last September, they obtained the grant for a four year project to record the history and archaeology of the Cwmcelyn Valley.

Ian Fewings, the charity’s founder and secretary, said: “We are on the research stage at the moment and we are discovering new things all the time.

“Since we started the project in October, we have found two new farms, a new level and incline that dates back to the early 1800s.

“We have also found a new Bronze Age ring cairn and a Prehistoric site which is possibly a Bronze Age temple.

“A lot of the archaeology and history has never before been recorded - we will be the first society to record the archaeology and history of the valley.

“We knew this would be a good project but it’s turning out to be very exciting.”

Mr Fewings said that they know people have been living in the Cwmcelyn Valley for the past eight thousand years as they have found flint form the Mesolithic period.

“We also know people have been living in the valley because of a Bronze Age hut circle we found back last year in the Valley,” he said.

The charity, which was set up three years ago, has more than 300 members from across the world, including from America and Australia.

A group of American members is planning on visiting the site this year as part of their trip to the UK.

He said:”It all started on a course with the University of South Wales.

“One day I said to a couple of people if they would be interested in setting up the group. We had 10 people in that first meeting.”

The group is looking for new members and membership is £6 a year. Membership forms are available via email at aberystruth.h.a.s@gmail.com