Re-creating life in early Wales Below is a selection of artists impressions showing scenes of everyday life in Wales. Images range from the Palaeolithic, when humans first set foot in Wales, through to the Roman Conquest. Click on the images below for more detail. Re-creating life in early Wales RomanRoman amphitheatre, Caerleon, Monmouthshire; by J. A. Wright, 1928. Excavated in 1926-27, Wright shows the amphitheatre in the late 1st century AD. At the time it was thought that the auditorium was supported by a bank of earth retained by masonry walls. The original height was determined from the remains of arches and vaulting in the main entrances. RomanCaerwent Roman town, Monmouthshire. Imaginative reconstruction of the supposed post-Roman church; by Alan Sorrell, 1938. More recent reappraisal of the evidence suggests that the building is not of sub-Roman date, but is a post-medieval cottage. RomanCaerwent Roman town, Monmouthshire. Imaginative reconstruction of a raid on the south-west corner of the town; by Alan Sorrell, 1938. RomanRoman forum-basilica at Caerwent, Monmouthshire; by Alan Sorrell, 1955. RomanRomano-Celtic temple, Caerwent Roman town, Monmouthshire; by Alan Sorrell, 1955. The temple had been excavated in 1908. RomanThe Roman town of Venta Silurum (Caerwent), Monmouthshire, in the 4th century AD; by Alan Sorrell, 1937. Based on the plan of the town revealed by the large-scale excavations undertaken in the earlier 20th century. RomanLlantwit Major Roman villa, The Vale of Glamorgan, as it may have looked in the 4th century AD; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. RomanLlantwit Major Roman villa, The Vale of Glamorgan; By Alan Sorrell, 1949. The villa, as shown, dates to the early 4th century AD. RomanBarracks and other buildings in the west corner of the Roman legionary fortress, Caerleon, Monmouthshire, in the 2nd century AD; by Alan Sorrell, 1939. This reconstruction shows one corner of the barracks in Prysg Field, now laid out and on view to the public. RomanRoman amphitheatre, Caerleon, Monmouthshire, in the late 1st century AD; by Alan Sorrell, 1939. This view borrows from the reconstruction by J. A. Wright (1928), but shows more activity and detail in the vicinity of the amphitheatre. RomanThe Roman legionary fortress, Caerleon, Monmouthshire, in the 2nd century AD; by Alan Sorrell, 1939. RomanDrainage wheel in the Roman gold mine at Dolaucothi, Carmarthenshire; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. RomanThe south-west gate of Roman Caerleon, Monmouthshire; by Tony Daly, 1996. RomanThe Fortress Baths, Caerleon, Monmouthshire, as they might have appeared about AD 80; by Paul Jenkins, about 1988. RomanCefn Graeanog native settlement, Gwynedd, in the 4th century AD; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. Iron AgeThe main entrance to the Iron Age hillfort at Llanmelin, Monmouthshire; by Alan Sorrell, 1940. Iron AgeThe east gate of Twyn-y-Gaer hillfort, Cymyoy, Monmouthshire, 3rd century BC; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. Iron AgeMaking offerings at a sacred lake. The wheeled vehicle is based on continental finds and rock engravings. Llyn Fawr, Rhondda Cynon Taff, about 650 BC; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. Iron AgeMoel-y-Gaer hillfort, Rhosesmor, Denbighshire, 4th century BC; by Paul Hughes, about 1980. Bronze AgeBronze Age burial, about 2,000 BC: the last rites at Pond Cairn, Coity, The Vale of Glamorgan; by Alan Sorrell, 1940. Bronze AgeBurial at a stone circle about 1,750 BC based on the Druid's Circle, Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeThe preparation of a Bronze Age archer's grave, based on finds from the round barrow at Breach Down at Breach Farm, Llanblethian, The Vale of Glamorgan about 2,000-1,500 BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeA 'Beaker' Princess wearing a gold lunula from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd (about 2,000 BC); by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeThe Breiddin Bronze Age hillfort, near Welshpool, Powys, about 1,000 BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeBronze Age 'Beaker' warriors about 2,500 BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeThe First Sword-bearers, warriors of the Penard phase, about 1,100 BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeA Later Bronze Age Metal-worker about 800BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgeEarly Bronze Age ('Beaker') metal-worker about 2000 BC; by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. Bronze AgePottery-making in the Bronze Age (about 1, 750 BC); by Paul Jenkins, about 1980. NeolithicFarming settlement about 4,000 BC by Giovanni Caselli, 1979; Based on excavations at Clegyr Boia, St David's, Pembrokeshire, in 1902 and 1943. NeolithicTinkinswood Neolithic chambered tomb, St Nicholas, The Vale of Glamorgan by Alan Sorrell, 1940; Reconstruction of a burial scene at the Neolithic chamber tomb (about 4,000—3,500 BC). NeolithicBarclodiad y Gawres, Isle of Anglesey, by Paul Jenkins, about 1980; Ritual in a Neolithic passage grave, about 3,000 BC. MesolithicHunting and fishing at The Nab Head, St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire, about 8,400 BC; By Giovanni Caselli, 1979. PalaeolithicCave Settlement of Neanderthal Man, about 70,000 BC; by Gino D'Achille, about 1980. Based on excavations at Pontnewydd Cave, Denbighshire. PalaeolithicHunting scene, Penylan, Cardiff, about 250,000 BC; By Gino D'Achille, about 1980. PalaeolithicThe ritual burial at Paviland Cave, Gower; by Gino D'Achille, about 1980. This painting was created when the burial was thought to be Aurignacian in date (35-28,000 years ago). Comments - (3) Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience. Bruce 19 February 2021, 20:19 Excellent info. As a Caerwent resident is it possible to purchase the Alan Sorrel impression of the site please? This is for private use only. Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff 19 October 2015, 09:37 Hi there Frances, Thanks for your enquiry. Please contact our Image Licensing Officer for more information about copyright and licensing - I will email over the details now. Sara Digital Team Frances Vargo 18 October 2015, 10:23 I am a picture researcher working on a children's reader for use in schools, entitled 'Roman Life in Britain'. Please will you advise whether you own the copyright of the Caerwent Basilica/forum reconstruction by Alan Sorrell and whether the image would be available in high res.? And how much would you charge for supply and reproduction fee (world rights, all languages, print and digital)? Many thanks, Frances Vargo