Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Castell Bach
Penbryn, Ceredigion, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Promontory Fort- coastal
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 15 September 1994
- Community
- Penbryn
- Unitary authority
- Ceredigion
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.15409, -4.48265
- SAM number
- CD091
- Cadw record number
- 1860
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
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (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 43). The enclosure is located on a coastal promontory above the sea that marks part of the defensive circuit. The construction of a rampart placed across the neck of the promontory divides it from the mainland. Castell Bach is sub-rectangular, measuring c.110m east-west by between c.60 and c.74m. The rampart on the east is c.80m long, with a 1.8m high bank and 1m deep ditch, and it has a causewayed entrance near the centre. The remaining sides are defended by scarps above steep natural slopes.
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, layout, 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
- Garreg Standing StonesStanding Stoneunder 1 mi
- Lime Kiln at Llangrannog BeachIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Outbuildings on N side of Farm Court at TroedyrhiwDomesticunder 1 mi
- TroedyrhiwDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.