Children from Llangattock Church in Wales Primary School were entertained with stories of ancient tombs and skeletons on a visit to the village recreation ground last week.

Their unusual lesson was delivered by Richard Lewis of Black Mountains Archaeology.

Mr Lewis has been at the park investigating the route of a new accessible path being built close to the Garn Goch Scheduled Ancient Monument. The children were invited to learn more about Garn Goch by Llangattock Community Council, which is building the path.

Mr Lewis said the burial chamber could be as much as 6,500 years old. He explained that it might still contain ancient bones, which would have been placed there and brought out on special occasions by Stone Age for Bronze Age residents.

Although no significant finds were made during the Cadw-funded path survey, the children were shown a range of finds from similar burial chambers. Mr Lewis said he hoped funding could be found for a more extensive exploration involving local people in future.

Archeaological survey Llangattock
A drone’s-eye view of the archaeological survey at Llangattock’s Recreation Ground (Llangattock Community Council)

Work on the path will now continue. Llangattock-based contractor Land and Stone were selected to build the path after a competitive tender process. The Council says it wants to keep the Recreation Ground open throughout, but this will depend on whether everyone stays out of the works, which have been marked. It is hoped the path will be completed within the next six weeks or so, but definitely by the end of November.

After months of investigation, councillors settled on a traditional tarmac surface because it could be completed without borrowing, maintenance costs would be low, and it will last a long time.

“It was a difficult decision, but we did not want to add to the council tax in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” said Cllr Tim Jones.

The work is being funded by a Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme grant.

Llangattock Community Council says it will make the park accessible to wheelchair users, people with prams and children learning to ride bikes. The need for the path was identified in community surveys, and it is hoped it will help improve pedestrian links with Crickhowell.