 The Neath Antiquarian Society was the driving force in this early archaeology, in which 7,000 tons of slag and other industrial waste were removed by hand, to uncover the abbey ruins.In 1944 the ownership passed to the Ministry of Works, who undertook further stabilization of the walls.In 2014 Cadw, the successor body charged with the sites care, began a substantial project to further protect and stabilize parts of the ruins.