Bancbryn post-medieval lluest farmstead

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 small lluest farmstead, probably dating to the 17th or 18th century. The footings of a building (measuring 8.6m from NW to SE by 4.1m transversely, within grass-covered drystone rubble walls 0.9m in thickness and up to 0.6m in height) are situated on the sheltered SE-facing slopes above a large gully, surrounded by several enclosures, the footings of a small hut and several trackways. The enclosures are situated immediately to the SW of the building. The smallest is level and is terraced up on the SE side; it is adjacent to the building and may represent a garden enclosure. The largest enclosure contains the visible traces of rig and furrow cultivation (the furrows being set about 2m apart); it may have been used for crops such as potatoes or oats. The farmstead probably represents semi-permanent settlement of the upland pasture. The enclosures are depicted on the Betws Parish tithe map (1846). No building is depicted.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of post medieval land use, settlement and economy. It is a well-preserved, relatively rare and little-understood example of upland settlement; and it retains great archaeological potential to enhance our knowledge of post medieval stock rearing practices in the upland zone, whether as permanent settlement, regular transhumance, or intermittent opportunistic expansion.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular and measures up to 210m from NE to SW by up to 170m transversely.