Y Gyrn hut platforms

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 two hut platforms, probably dating to the late-medieval or post-medieval periods and situated within unenclosed moorland on a gently sloping terrace on the NW-facing slopes of Y Gyrn above Glyn Tarrell. The hut platforms are situated adjacent to each other. The northernmost and largest platform is subrectangular on plan and measures 13m from ESE to WNW by 7.5m transversely. It is terraced into the slope on its ESE end up to a depth of 1.5m; and is terraced out over the slope on its WNW end up to a height of 0.5m. The southernmost platform is subrectangular on plan and measures 10.5m from E to W by 6m transversely. It is terraced into the slope on its E end up to a depth of 1.2m; and is slightly terraced out over the slope on its W end up to a height of 0.2m. The platforms would once have supported modest buildings and presumably represent the remains of a seasonal hafotai.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval and post medieval land use, settlement and economy. It is a relatively well preserved example of an upland settlement and retains great archaeological potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval and post medieval stock rearing practices in the upland zone, whether as permanent settlement, regular transhumance, or intermittent opportunistic expansion. The topographical and likely chronological association of the platforms with similar monuments nearby (BR390, BR391 and BR393) further increases the importance of the site.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is rectangular and measures 40m from N to S by 25m transversely.