Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Castell Cwmere
Llanfihangel Ystrad, Ceredigion, Wales
A scheduled monument in Llanfihangel Ystrad, Ceredigion, recorded as Promontory Fort - inland (Prehistoric).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Promontory Fort - inland
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Community
- Llanfihangel Ystrad
- Unitary authority
- Ceredigion
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.16882, -4.14648
- SAM number
- CD079
- Cadw record number
- 2559
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 195 Lampeter (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 14. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1919 · Sheet 78. Lampeter. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
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 defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Inland promontory forts are usually located on a ridge or spur with steep slopes on 2 or 3 sides, and artificial ramparts on the level approaches. They may have been constructed on a promontory above the confluence of two rivers, or in the bend of a meander. Castell Cwmere is situated on a long tongue of land between two streams. The neck is cut off by a curving bank and ditch on the south, and there is a slight trace of a counterscarp bank. The bank stands c.3m above the interior and c.4.5m above the bottom of the ditch, which rises c.2m to the crest of the counterscarp, which itself stands c.0.4m above the surrounding field. A gap in the defences on the south-east is probably the position of the entrance.
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.
Nearby in the register
- Milestone on W side of A482Transportunder 1 mi
- Capel Rhydygwain and attached houseReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Capel Ty'nygwndwn (Independent)Religious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Milepost opposite Glanllyn LodgeTransportunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.