Blaen Glasffrwd longhouse

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 building, probably dating to the late-medieval or post-medieval periods and situated in enclosed upland pasture on a central terrace within the sheltered upper basin containing the catchment for the Nant Glasffrwd. The building is subrectangular on plan and measures 15m from WNW to ESE by 3.5m transversely within drystone rubble walls measuring 1m in thickness and 0.6m in height. The building is orientated perpendicularly to the slope and terraced in on the ESE. It has two compartments: the upper is larger and better defined, measuring 7.5m in length; while the lower measures 6.5m in length and contains a distinct transverse step. It may also have had opposed entrances.

The building is a well-preserved example of a longhouse and presumably represents 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 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 (such as the hafod system of summer pasture), or intermittent opportunistic expansion.

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 WNW to ESE by 20m transversely.