Deserted Farmstead South of Ffynnon yr Oerfa

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of a small farmstead, probably dating to the 17th or 18th century, located on open moorland on sloping land which falls to the N towards a stream. The site comprises a long house, 12m in length, with 2 outbuildings to its E, enclosed within an inner bank that bounds an area around 25m long. On the E side is an additional length of bank. To the NE, immediately adjacent, is a rectangular enclosure 30m long. A holloway leads into the farmstead between the two enclosures. The complex, which may be multi-period, is surrounded by a well-preserved ditch.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of post medieval land use, settlement and economy. It is a well-preserved, relatively rare and little-understood example of upland settlement; and it retains great archaeological potential to enhance our knowledge of post medieval stock rearing practices in the upland zone, whether as permanent settlement, regular transhumance, or intermittent opportunistic expansion.

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