THE results of a recent archaeological dig at Nevern Castle left a few experts scratching their heads.

The excavation unearthed the remains of a cottage from the 1700s and a nit comb.

The dig was led by Dr Chris Caple of the University of Durham, assisted by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority archaeologist Pete Crane and supported by students from Durham and Cardiff Universities as well as local volunteers.

Mr Crane said: “This was the seventh season of work at Nevern Castle as we continue to piece together the turbulent past of this fascinating site.

“As well as the exciting discoveries that were made, it was a pleasure to welcome so many people to the free tours around the site and I hope that subsequent digs will prove as successful as this one.”

The plan this year was to discover the original castle’s ditch, uncover more of the buildings discovered in a 2011 dig, and to excavate a limited area within the ditch between the Inner Castle and the Bailey where it was proposed to construct a bridge later this year.

The continuation of the 2011 excavation showed that the first castle was much smaller in area than previously thought, and left enough space on the promontory to accommodate eighteen houses of a civilian settlement mentioned in documents from the period.

Excavation around the southern entrance encountered an early ditch and also revealed building activity over the next few decades which resulted in the discovery of a large amount of broken pottery, which helped identify two substantial phases of clay-bonded slate construction in this part of the castle.

The excavation at the Nevern Community Council owned-site was supported by the estate of the late Ray Caple, the National Park Authority and Cadw.