Swallowtail Archaeology Blog
WHERE WORDS WORK
Uncovering Overton: Tracing a Lost Castle on the Anglo-Welsh Borderlands
In the deeply storied landscape of the Welsh Marches, some of the most significant medieval power sites have slipped from memory — hidden in place-names, historical silences, and reshaped terrain. My current project centres on one such place: Overton, a strategically located settlement on the Welsh-English frontier, once in medieval Flintshire, and now part of modern-day Wrexham County Borough.
Dodleston Castle, Cheshire: Borderland Assembly to Fortress of the Marches
Dodleston Castle’s earthworks hide a deep history — from prehistoric ring to medieval assembly site, sacred enclosure, and Norman stronghold. Set on the Anglo-Welsh border, it was more than a fortress: a place of gathering, governance, and belief. My research shows Dodleston as a layered landscape of power, shaped by centuries of change. Through archaeology and place-name study, we rediscover its role as a forgotten centre in the Irish Sea Cultural Zone, where meaning and identity were always in flux.
Is Working With Words in Archaeology at Risk of an AI Takeover?
While AI can assist with tasks like research and formatting, it lacks the ability to provide the depth, context, and creativity that define great research and writing. At Swallowtail, we embrace technology where it enhances efficiency, but we always ensure that human passion, expertise, and experience are at the heart of every project
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