Napps Camp

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a series of defended enclosures, which probably date to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43), the form of which suggests a multi-phase period of occupation, and which extend in a line along a coastal promontory overlooking Carmarthen Bay. An inner enclosure is demarcated by two lines of defence; an outer bank with a maximum height of 1.5m and slight traces of a ditch that runs east west across the promontory and an inner bank running parallel to it from an outcrop on the east before turning south along the contour to enclose the ridge top. A second outer enclosure, which may represent a later phase encloses an area of c 40m north-south by 40m east to west, the northern sides of which are defended by a substantial bank of c 3m height with traces of stone revetment and a ditch 1 -1.5m deep. The western side is contained by a scarp slope, the south by the banks of the inner enclosure. Immediately outside this second enclosure is a circle of stones c 42m in diameter, the form and phasing of which is unclear, roundhouse circles have been recorded from both within this circle and the inner enclosure.

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.