Onnen-Deg Defended Settlement

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a defended settlement or lowland sited promontory fort, 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. Alternatively they may have been constructed on a promontory above the confluence of two rivers, or in the bend of a meander. This monument consists of a sub-rectangular enclosure set on a slight lowland promontory and is defined by a well preserved defensive bank and ditch constructed across the promontory neck, and natural scarps on the other three sides.

The site has archaeological importance because it represents an unusual survival of an Iron Age enclosed settlement in a lowland situation and because of its good state of preservation. 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 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.