Plas Meilw Hut Circles

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

In 1868 the Hon. W. O. Stanley noted 12 round huts with associated enclosures when conducting excavations at the site, adding that 'recent cultivation has nearly obliterated all the circles'.

Two round huts are clearly visible towards the N end of the site, presumably the result of having been excavated. The hut to the N forms a level platform on sloping ground and is 8 m in diameter with walls 1.5 m wide and 0.15 - 0.75 m high. The entrance was probably on the E side. The hut to the SE is 5 - 6 m in diameter with walls 1.5 m wide and 0.5 - 0.75 m high. The entrance was possibly on the NW side.

To the NE of these huts are slighter traces of a third round hut defined by low banks, and a rectangular enclosure defined by low banks at the S and fossilised beneath a modern field wall at the N.

Other slight earthworks suggest past activity elsewhere within the scheduled area and two water-sources show evidence of having been modified sometime in the past.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structures themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.