Caldicot and Wentloog Levels
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The Caldicot and Wentloog Levels comprise two areas of low-lying alluvial wetlands and intertidal mudflats either side of the River Usk estuary at Newport in south east Wales.
The Caldicot Level lies to the southeast of Newport between the River Usk and River Wye and consists of 17,500 acres (71 km^2). It is home to Newport Wetlands Reserve.
The Wentloog Level lies to the southwest between the River Usk and River Rhymney and consists of 8,500 acres (34 km^2).
Parts of both have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
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[edit] Man Made
The levels are entirely man-made, having been reclaimed from the Severn Estuary since Roman times. As such, the levels are criss-crossed by artificial drainage channels, known locally as 'reens'[1] managed by the Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board[2].
[edit] Archaeology
The levels are extremely rich archaeologically, with finds from the Mesolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. One of the most significant finds was of a 3rd century Romano-British boat found at Wilcrick near Chepstow.[3]
A large number of Anglo-Norman sites including castles, churches, court houses, manor houses, moated sites and mills show near-continuous occupation throughout the Middle Ages.
[edit] References
- ^ Geograph photos of Reens in the Levels
- ^ Caldicot & Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board Website
- ^ The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust: Historic Landscape Characterisation The Gwent Levels
