18.The concept of a “monument” is central to the legislation for the designation, management and protection of the archaeological heritage of Wales. Chapter 1 therefore provides fundamental definitions relating to monuments at the beginning of the Part.
19.The five categories defined in section 2(1)(a) to (e) will accommodate a wide range of “monuments” in both the terrestrial and marine historic environments.
20.In paragraphs (a) and (b), “
21.Paragraph (e) provides that the site of any thing or group of things that evidences previous human activity may be considered a monument (as long as it is not already captured in paragraph (b), (c) or (d)). This could include, for example, sites without buildings or works where scatters of artefacts — perhaps prehistoric flint tools or, from more recent times, rejects from pottery kilns or other industrial processes — offer archaeological evidence of past human activity.
22.Subsection (3) removes from consideration as a monument any religious building that is currently used for religious purposes. While a place of worship being used for services could not be deemed a monument, a derelict or ruined place of worship could.
23.Subsection (3) would not prevent artefacts that have been brought into a place of worship for protection and display from being classed as monuments if they fall within the definition in subsection (1). These artefacts could be crosses, inscribed stones and other similar artefacts. Even if an artefact of this kind is fixed to a floor or wall of a church, it may be recognised as a monument if it could be removed with minimal disruption to the building.
24.Subsection (5) explains that the “
25.Subsection (8) establishes that in this section “