Burry Holms, Gower, Wales, UK: the prehistory of an island

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of work undertaken on the multi-period site of Burry Holms, Gower, South Wales by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales. Burry Holms is a small tidal island that possesses a rich prehistoric and historical heritage. In 1998 the opportunity arose to excavate its important Mesolithic remains. The work generated rich new lithic and palaeoenvironmental data and a series of OSL and radiocarbon dates. A surprising discovery during the excavation was an Iron Age roundhouse and other later prehistoric features. This later evidence is incorporated with the detailed consideration of the Mesolithic exploitation of the island.