Tir Hir Medieval Platform

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

This unusually large earth platform measures c. 40m x 9m and is surrounded by a prominent earth bank. The platform appears to be divided into two parts with a good possibility that there are structural remains, perhaps the foundations of a building, at its upper end.

Large platforms of this form are rare in Wales. Those known in England are usually of medieval date and associated with large scale sheep rearing, often connected with monastic orders. The proximity of this platform to Strata Florida Abbey would support a similar date and interpretation.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the scheduled area may be expected to contain a wide range of archaeological information, including chronological detail and evidence in regard to construction techniques and agricultural methods. House platforms may be part of a larger cluster of settlement and their importance can be 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.