Plas-y-Gaer Camp

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 hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). It is a hillslope enclosure situated on ground sloping towards the N at the foot of the steep Allt Ddu ridge. The defences comprise a double bank and ditch on the S, W and E sides, forming an arc that is open on the N side. Aerial photographs suggest however, that the defences originally extended around the N side but have been ploughed out. The defences are most substantial on the S side where there is a 4m wide and 1.2m deep outer bank, a substantial outer rampart up to 2.5m high built from earth and stone, a 2m wide and 1m deep inner ditch and a 1.3m high inner earthen bank. On the outer side of the rampart on the S side of the camp the remains of walling and the stone structure of the bank are visible protruding through the turf. The inner ditch continues around the E and W sides with a low outer bank and slight inner bank on the W side and a slight inner bank but no outer bank on the E side. The interior of the fort slopes gently to the N, more gently than the surrounding land suggesting that it may have been built up from the natural ground level.

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, building techniques and functional detail.

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