A new book detailing the archaeological finds during work on the Five Mile Lane project to connect Barry to the A48 has been released.

The book, "A Journey Through 6000 Years of History: Archaeological Investigations Along the A4226 Five Mile Lane Improvement Scheme," catalogues the discoveries made during excavations.

The archaeological work was carried out by Red River Archaeology on behalf of Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The team unearthed an early medieval cemetery and assembly site, believed to have links to a Welsh saint.

A late Bronze Age burial monument, reused by later inhabitants, was also discovered.

Dr Niamh Daly, who worked on the project, said: "I found the archaeological findings from the Five Mile Lane site, which span from the Early-Middle Bronze Age to the Medieval Period, to be particularly fascinating."

The new road, funded by the Welsh Government, opened five years ago, linking Weycock Cross to the Sycamore Cross roundabout.

Excavations took place in 2017 and 2018, revealing a landscape that had been used in various ways since human settlement.

A silver crossbow brooch was amongst the findsA silver crossbow brooch was amongst the finds (Image: Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museu)

Artefacts were found, including a small gold penannular ring, Roman silver crossbow brooch, fragments of a burnt wooden comb, and pottery pieces.

Councillor Mark Wilson, Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, said: "The Five Mile Lane Project saw a busy stretch of highway upgraded to offer a quicker and safer route between Barry and the A48.

"As well as improving the transport experience for the large number of people who use it, this scheme also provided a range of other benefits through the careful archaeological work that took place as part of it.

"There were numerous fascinating discoveries that have taught us more about the history of the area and how it has been used over the centuries.

"This book catalogues the significance of those finds, helping us learn more about a hugely significant part of the Vale."

The site revealed a multi-period landscape used for ceremonial and funerary purposes in the Neolithic and Bronze-Age periods, and for agriculture in the Iron Age.

It was part of a wealthy Roman farmstead, a medieval cemetery that reused a Bronze-Age burial ground, and finally the agricultural landscape of the present day.

More than 430 individuals from the fifth to 13th century were buried in the cemetery, which originated possibly as early as 410 AD.

The site was located at the intersection of key medieval religious routes between Llancarfan, St Lythans, and Llandaff.