Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Y Werthyr Hillfort
Tref Alaw, Isle of Anglesey, Wales
A scheduled monument in Tref Alaw, Isle of Anglesey, recorded as Hillfort (Prehistoric).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Hillfort
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 14 April 2010
- Community
- Tref Alaw
- Unitary authority
- Isle of Anglesey
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 53.33043, -4.45930
- SAM number
- AN158
- Cadw record number
- 1397
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1883 map "Watershed map England, Wales 3." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 93 Holyhead (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1919 · Sheet 41. Anglesey. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument comprises the remains of a small hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Hillforts are usually located on hilltops and surrounded by a single or multiple earthworks of massive proportions. Hillforts must have formed symbols of power within the landscape, while their function may have had as much to do with ostentation and display as defence.
The hillfort is located on a low rounded hill and the earthwork banks and ditches surrounding the summit of the hill are most well-preserved on the S and E sides, with a maximum height of 0.5m. Geophysical survey results indicate that there may be up to eight circular house platforms preserved within the interior of the hillfort, on the eastern side. An entrance is evident on the NE side of the site. The hillfort measures 186m (SW-NE) by 165m (W-E).
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around, within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is roughly circular in shape on plan and measures 186m (SW-NE) by 165m (W-E) and is located at SH36320/84305.
Nearby in the register
- Bedd Branwen Round CairnRound Cairnunder 1 mi
- Pont HenbontTransportunder 1 mi
- Schoolroom and stable range at Elim ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Tyn Cae ElimDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.