Gors Defended Enclosure

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises a defended enclosure and attached annexe, which probably date to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). It is located on the summit of a crescent shaped ridge overlooking a pass between the Nant Paith and Afon Ystwyth valleys to the NE. The main enclosure is circular in shape and defined by a single bank that measures 70m in diameter, 5m in width and 1m in height. A slight depression marks the course of the outer ditch. The NE arc of the defences and part of the interior have been destroyed by later quarrying activity. The annexe is located to the S and W of the enclosure. It is irregular in shape and defined by a shallow bank on the W, S and E sides and an artificially scarped slope on the N side. The annexe measures 175m E-W by 85m transversely.

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 an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is an irregular polygon in shape on plan and measures 208m WNW-ESE by 128m transversely.