Editing Snowdonia (section)

== History ==
The earliest evidence for human occupation of the area dates from around 4000–3000 BC with extensive traces of prehistoric [[field system]]s evident in the landscape. Within these are traces of irregular enclosures and [[hut circle]]s. There are burial chambers of [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]] such as [[Bryn Cader Faner]] and [[Iron Age]] [[hillfort]]s such as [[Bryn y Castell]] near Ffestiniog.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prehistory |url=https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/looking-after/archaeology/prehistory |website=Eryri National Park |publisher=Eryri National Park Authority |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>

The region was finally conquered by the [[Roman Britain|Romans]] by AD 77–78. Remains of Roman [[castra|marching camps]] and [[castra|practice camps]] are evident. There was a [[castra|Roman fort]] and [[Roman amphitheatre|amphitheatre]] at [[Tomen y Mur]]. Roads are known to have connected with {{lang|la|[[Segontium]]|italic=no}} (Caernarfon) and {{lang|la|[[Deva Victrix]]|italic=no}} (Chester) and include the northern reaches of [[Sarn Helen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roman |url=https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/looking-after/archaeology/roman |website=Eryri National Park |publisher=Eryri National Park Authority |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>

There are numerous memorial stones of [[Early Christian]] affinity dating from the post-Roman period. The post-Roman hillfort of [[Dinas Emrys]] also dates to this time. Churches were introduced to the region in the 5th and 6th centuries. [[Llywelyn the Great]] and [[Llywelyn ap Gruffudd]] had various stone castles constructed to protect their borders and trade routes. [[Edward I]] built several castles around the margins including those at Harlech and Conwy for military and administrative reasons. Most are now protected within a [[World Heritage Site]]. Some of Snowdonia's many stone walls date back to this period too.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medieval and Early Modern |url=https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/looking-after/archaeology/medieval-and-early-modern |website=Eryri National Park |publisher=Eryri National Park Authority |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> In the [[Middle Ages]], the title ''Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia'' ({{lang|cy|Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri}}) was used by {{lang|cy|[[Llywelyn ap Gruffudd]]|italic=no}}; his grandfather {{lang|cy|[[Llywelyn Fawr]]|italic=no}} used the title ''Prince of north Wales and Lord of Snowdonia''.

The 18th century saw the start of industrial exploitation of the area's resources, assisted by the appearance in the late part of the century of [[turnpike trust]]s making it more accessible. The engineer [[Thomas Telford]] left a legacy of road and railway construction in and around Snowdonia. A new harbour at Porthmadog linked to slate quarries at Ffestiniog via a narrow gauge railway. At its peak in the 19th century the [[slate industry in Wales|slate industry]] employed around 12,000 men. A further 1000 were employed in stone quarrying at Graiglwyd and Penmaenmawr. Mining for [[Mining in Wales|copper]], [[iron]] and [[Welsh gold|gold]] was undertaken during the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving a legacy of mine and mill ruins today.<ref>{{cite web |title=Industrial |url=https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/looking-after/archaeology/industrial |website=Eryri National Park |publisher=Eryri National Park Authority |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> Ruins of the gold industry are found at [[Cefn Coch (goldmine)|Cefn Coch]] on the [[Dolmelynllyn Estate|Dolmelynllyn estate]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-03-14 |title=Blooms with a view: 10 of Britain's best spring walks |url=http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/mar/14/10-best-spring-walks-britain-uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725165202/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/mar/14/10-best-spring-walks-britain-uk |archive-date=2022-07-25 |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Snowdonia Society]] is a registered charity formed in 1967; it is a voluntary group of people with an interest in the area and its protection.

[[Amory Lovins]] led the successful 1970s opposition to stop [[Rio Tinto Group|Rio Tinto]] digging up the area for a massive mine.<ref>{{cite web |author=John Vidal |date=18 February 2014 |title=Amory Lovins: energy visionary sees renewables revolution in full swing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/17/amory-lovins-renewable-energy |work=The Guardian}}</ref>