Enclosure West of Nant Cwm Llwch

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 multivallate earthwork enclosure of probable Iron Age date. The enclosure is roughly oval in shape and is surrounded by a complete inner defensive bank, with two banks and ditches to the N and a single bank and ditch uphill to the S. The interior of the enclosure is relatively level and appears to have been terraced. It measures 38m NE/SW by 23m NW/SE. There are no surface indications of features within the interior of the enclosure. The inner defensive bank stands up to 1m high and there are signs of an external ditch on the S and SW sides, 0.15m deep. The external bank is up to 2m high with an external ditch 0.3m deep. There are two modern breaks in the external bank, on the W and S sides, although the W break may be on the line of the original entrance. To the N of the enclosure is a prominent bank and ditch feature into which a platform has been dug which may have been used for charcoal burning. The enclosure does not appear to have served a principally defensive purpose as the surrounding land is relatively open with no steep natural slopes, and the enclosure is easily approached from several directions.

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.