Coed Mor Fish Weir

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of an impressive and well-preserved fish weir, dating to the medieval or post-medieval period. A fish weir is usually characterised by a foundation of stone topped with a fence or row of stakes, often with nets attached forming an enclosure within a river or harbour and used for catching, or holding, fish. The Coed Môr Weir is defined by well-built, dry-stone walls incorporating modified natural features. The weir walls stand to a maximum height of approximately 3m and are 1.2 to 1.5m in width. The main wall runs parallel to the shore from a small island for 100m in a north-easterly direction. The north-eastern end is ruinous but turns back to the shore and forms a sluice. This ruinous wall incorporates a rocky outcrop that serves to trap the fish in a natural channel running parallel to the main weir wall.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval or post-medieval maritime agricultural practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself 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.