Y Cwrt Deserted Rural Settlement

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises a well-preserved example of a deserted rural settlement of probable medieval date, possibly associated with summer grazing grounds on the ridges of the Black Mountains. It consists of 3 rectangular house platforms situated on a sheltered, south-facing shelf of Partishow Hill, overlooking the Grwyne Fawr valley. Platform A measures 11.5m by 4m and comprises a 0.5m high cut into the slope at the N end of the platform with a low revetment wall/bank at the S end. Platform B measures 8m by 4m and consists of an rectangular platform terraced into the slope - this is the most ephemeral of the three. Platform C measures 11m by 5m and comprises a level area of ground with a slight cut into the slope at the N end and large earthen bank at the S end.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structures themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques and their importance is further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is in three parts, area A is a rectangle measuring 15m by 10m aligned on and containing platform A; area B is a rectangle measuring 12m by 10m aligned on and containing platform B; area C is a rectangle measuring 15m by 10m aligned on and containing platform C.