Waunfaeog Hillfort

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 hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Waunfaeog is a medium sized inland promontory fort situated on two connected spurs of land overlooking the Afon Tarell. It is defended by steep natural slopes on three sides. On the south side it has three lines of ramparts and ditches that cut off the neck of the promontory. The ramparts average 2m in height. The fort entrance probably lay on the eastern side where the inner and outer ramparts stop short of the natural slope and it is possible that a level ‘platform’ at the eastern end of the middle rampart could have served as the base of a ‘gatehouse’. The fort is within close proximity to four other Iron Age hillforts, Twyn y Gaer, Plas y Gaer, Nant Cwm Llwch and Rhyd Uchaf.

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.