Cwm Twrch settlement and limekiln

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 settlement, probably dating to the late-medieval or post-medieval periods and situated within open moorland on a terrace on the steep sheltered ESE-facing slopes above Cwm Twrch. The settlement comprises a main building, an associated enclosure, a well-preserved limekiln and a smaller building. The settlement presumably represents the remains of a seasonal hafotai with associated features, later utilised as part of the local lime burning industry.

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 relatively 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, or intermittent opportunistic expansion. The later elements of the local lime burning industry add further importance.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is rectangular and measures 50m from NE to SW by 25m transversely.