THE unearthing of the remains of a cottage from 1700s and a nit comb on a recent dig at Nevern Castle left experts scratching their heads.

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 and local volunteers.

National Park Archaeologist Pete 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 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 18 houses of a civilian settlement mentioned in documents from the period.

The second trench was intended to locate the early timber entrance to the castle between the Motte and the inner northern bank.

Initially two further trenches for the proposed bridge were dug in the bottom of the rock-cut ditch between the Inner Castle and Bailey. These trenches revealed parts of walls and a small area of clay floor. Associated pottery and glass bottles indicated that this building dates from the 1700s and these walls were part of a cottage.

Part of a fine bone “nit comb” was also found; these are difficult to date, as they do not change much from medieval times until the 20th century, when plastic replaces bone or wood.

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.

In 2014, Nevern Castle dig will take place from June 17 to July 3, with free guided tours at 2.45pm each day except Fridays. The castle is open all year round.